Meyer Morton
Encyclopedia
Meyer Morton, born Myer Isakovitz (November 20, 1889 – February 8, 1948) was an American football
player and official and lawyer from Chicago
, Illinois
.
At the time of the 1900 United States Census, the family's last name was recorded as "Isacovitz." At the time of the 1910 United States Census, the family had changed its name to Morton and was living in Troy, New York
. the father was employed as a salesman at a dry goods store.
and received a law degree as part of the Class of 1912. While attending Michigan, he played on the freshman baseball and track teams. He was also a reserve player on the undefeated 1910 Michigan Wolverines football team
as a sophomore and a member of the class football team as a junior.
Morton also worked on Saturdays as a game official for the Big Ten Conference
for 23 years from the 1920s to the 1940s. After serving as the head linesman a game between Notre Dame and Northwestern in October 1926, Morton was criticized by Knute Rockne
who felt that Morton had over-penalized the Fighting Irish team. Rockne recalled it was "the only time in my life I ever got sore at an official" and felt it was unfair that Michigan coach Fielding H. Yost was picking game officials for Notre Dame. In his history of the Michigan - Notre Dame rivalry, John Kryk wrote:
.
Morton died in 1948 in Chicago.
The award has been presented to many of the legends in Michigan football history, including Gerald R. Ford (1932), Ron Kramer
(1954), Jim Harbaugh
(1984), and Desmond Howard
(1991). A complete list of the past winners is set forth below.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player and official and lawyer from Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
.
Early years
Morton was born in November 1889 in Chicago. His birth name was Myer Isakovitz. His parents, Martin "Max" Morton and Elizabeth "Bessie" (Schreier) Morton, were Russian Jews, his parents immigrating between 1879 and 1882. They became naturalized U.S. citizens in 1890.At the time of the 1900 United States Census, the family's last name was recorded as "Isacovitz." At the time of the 1910 United States Census, the family had changed its name to Morton and was living in Troy, New York
Troy, New York
Troy is a city in the US State of New York and the seat of Rensselaer County. Troy is located on the western edge of Rensselaer County and on the eastern bank of the Hudson River. Troy has close ties to the nearby cities of Albany and Schenectady, forming a region popularly called the Capital...
. the father was employed as a salesman at a dry goods store.
University of Michigan
Morton enrolled at the University of MichiganUniversity of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
and received a law degree as part of the Class of 1912. While attending Michigan, he played on the freshman baseball and track teams. He was also a reserve player on the undefeated 1910 Michigan Wolverines football team
1910 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1910 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1910 college football season. The team's head coach was Fielding H. Yost. The Wolverines played their home games at Ferry Field.-Schedule:...
as a sophomore and a member of the class football team as a junior.
Legal and officiating career
After graduating from Michigan, Morton returned to Chicago and worked as a lawyer there from 1915 to 1948. At the time of World War I, Morton was single, living in Chicago and working as a self-employed lawyer. He was serving as a private in the National Guard, Illinois - 1st Cavalry.Morton also worked on Saturdays as a game official for the Big Ten Conference
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
for 23 years from the 1920s to the 1940s. After serving as the head linesman a game between Notre Dame and Northwestern in October 1926, Morton was criticized by Knute Rockne
Knute Rockne
Knute Kenneth Rockne was an American football player and coach. He is regarded as one of the greatest coaches in college football history...
who felt that Morton had over-penalized the Fighting Irish team. Rockne recalled it was "the only time in my life I ever got sore at an official" and felt it was unfair that Michigan coach Fielding H. Yost was picking game officials for Notre Dame. In his history of the Michigan - Notre Dame rivalry, John Kryk wrote:
"Meyer Morton, as Rockne well knew, was a Conference man. Worse, a Michigan man. Still worse, a Yost man. Indeed, Morton was a prominent member of the University of Michigan Club of Chicago, and his correspondence with Yost and others dot the Michigan files of the 1920s and 1930s."
Later years and death
At the time of World War II, Morton was living in Chicago and working for the Chicago Flexible Shaft Co., a manufacturer of electrical appliances that later became known as Sunbeam ProductsSunbeam Products
Sunbeam Products is an American brand that has produced electric home appliances since 1910. Their products have included the Mixmaster mixer, the Sunbeam CG waffle iron, Coffeemaster and the fully automatic T20 toaster. Sunbeam is owned by Jarden Consumer Solutions after Jarden's acquisition in...
.
Morton died in 1948 in Chicago.
Meyer Morton Award
During his lifetime, Morton was one of the leading members of the "M" Club of Chicago. In 1925, the club began a tradition of giving an award each year to the Michigan football player who showed "the greatest development and most promise as a result of the annual spring practice." For many years, Morton traveled from Chicago to present the award in Ann Arbor. Beginning in 1948, after Morton's death, the annual award was renamed the Meyer Morton Award.The award has been presented to many of the legends in Michigan football history, including Gerald R. Ford (1932), Ron Kramer
Ron Kramer
Ronald J. Kramer was a multi-sport college athlete and professional American football player. Before embarking on a career in the National Football League, he lettered in football, basketball, and track at the University of Michigan in the 1950s...
(1954), Jim Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh
James Joseph "Jim" Harbaugh is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Harbaugh agreed to a five-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers on January 7, 2011. Previously, he was the head coach at...
(1984), and Desmond Howard
Desmond Howard
Desmond Kevin Howard is a former NFL wide receiver, punt returner, and kickoff returner.He played football for the University of Michigan from 1989–1991 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1991...
(1991). A complete list of the past winners is set forth below.
- 1925: Ray Baer
- 1926: George Rich
- 1927: LaVerne Taylor
- 1928: Danny Holmes
- 1929: Roy Hudson
- 1930: Estel TessmerEstel TessmerEstel S. "Zit" Tessmer was an American football and basketball player. A native of Ann Arbor, Michigan, Tessmer attended the University of Michigan where he played for the football and basketball teams. He played as a quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1929 to 1931 and 1933...
- 1931: Herman EverhardusHerman EverhardusHerman "Flying Dutchman" Everhardus was an American football player who played halfback for the University of Michigan teams from 1931–1933. He was an All-Big Ten halfback who led the conference in scoring in 1933. In his junior and senior seasons at Michigan, he led the team to two...
- 1932: Gerald R. Ford
- 1933: Mike Savage
- 1934: Matt PatanelliMatt PatanelliMatthew L. "Matt" Patanelli was an American football, baseball and basketball player and coach. He played and coached all three sports at the University of Michigan and was selected as the Most Valuable Player on the 1936 Michigan Wolverines football team. He was also the first University of...
- 1935: Bob Cooper
- 1936: John Jordan
- 1937: Fred TroskoFred TroskoFred Trosko was an American football player and coach. He played at the halfback position for the University of Michigan football team from 1937 to 1939...
- 1938: Archie KodrosArchie Kodros-External links:...
- 1939: Ralph FritzRalph FritzRalph C. Fritz was an American football player and coach. A native of New Kensington, Pennsylvania, Fritz attended Kiski Preparatory School before enrolling at the University of Michigan. He played guard for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1939 to 1940. Fritz later played...
- 1940: George CeithamlGeorge CeithamlGeorge F. Ceithaml is a former American football quarterback and coach. He was the starting quarterback for Fritz Crisler's University of Michigan football teams in 1941 and 1942...
- 1941: Merv PregulmanMerv PregulmanMervin Pregulman is a former All-American football tackle and center who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines and in the NFL with the Green Bay Packers , Detroit Lions , and New York Bulldogs ....
- 1942: Bob WieseBob WieseRobert Lee Wiese was an American football player. He played college football for Fritz Crisler's University of Michigan Wolverines football teams in 1942, 1943, 1944 and 1946—missing the 1945 season due to military service...
- 1943: Clem Bauman
- 1946: Bob Ballou
- 1947: Alvin WistertAlvin WistertAlvin Lawrence "Moose" Wistert was an American football player. A native of Chicago, Illinois, he played college football at the tackle position for Boston University in 1946 and at the University of Michigan from 1947 to 1949...
- 1948: Leo KoceskiLeo KoceskiLeo Robert "Bugsy" Koceski, Jr. , also known as the "Canonsburg Comet," is a former American football halfback. He played for Michigan's undefeated national championship team in 1948 and the 1950 Big Ten championship team that defeated the California in the 1951 Rose Bowl.-Early years:Koceski was...
- 1949: Don DufekDon Dufek, Sr.Don Dufek, Sr. is a former American football player and athletic director at Grand Valley State University and Kent State University. He is the father of All-American football players Don, and Bill as well as Joe who all played in the National Football League....
- 1950: Roger ZatkoffRoger ZatkoffRoger Zatkoff is a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1950 to 1952. He later played professional football for the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions ....
- 1951: Merritt Green
- 1952: Gene KnutsonGene KnutsonEugene Peter "Gene" Knutson was an American football player. He played college football as an offensive and defensive end for the University of Michigan and professional football as a defensive end for the Green Bay Packers...
- 1953: Don Dugger
- 1953: Tony BranoffTony BranoffAnthony "Tony" Branoff is a former American football player. He played at the halfback position for the University of Michigan from 1952 to 1955. He was chosen as the Most Valuable Player on the 1953 Michigan Wolverines football team. He was the first sophomore to win the award...
- 1954: Ron KramerRon KramerRonald J. Kramer was a multi-sport college athlete and professional American football player. Before embarking on a career in the National Football League, he lettered in football, basketball, and track at the University of Michigan in the 1950s...
- 1955: Jim Van PeltJim Van PeltJames S. Van Pelt is a former American football player.He played at the quarterback position for the University of Michigan from 1955 to 1957....
- 1956: John Herrnstein
- 1956: Bob PtacekBob PtacekRobert J. "Bob" Ptacek, Jr. is a former professional American and Canadian football quarterback, defensive back, and linebacker who was drafted in the 1959 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He played for the Browns during the 1959 NFL season...
- 1957: Charles Teusher
- 1958: Dick Syring
- 1959: Willard Hildebrand
- 1960: Bill FreehanBill FreehanWilliam Ashley Freehan is a former professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers...
- 1961: Dave RaimeyDave RaimeyDavid Raimey is a former running back and defensive back for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 1965 to 1968 and the Toronto Argonauts from 1969 to 1974 of the Canadian Football League...
- 1962: John Minko
- 1963: Tom Keating
- 1964: Tom MackTom MackThomas Lee Mack is a former left guard for the Los Angeles Rams of the NFL, spending all 13-years with them from 1966 to 1978...
- 1965: Bill Keating
- 1966: Don Bailey
- 1967: Dick Yanz
- 1968: Bob Baumgartner
- 1969: Don MoorheadDon MoorheadDon Moorhead is a retired American football player. He was the starting quarterback for the Michigan Wolverines football team in 1969 and 1970 and for the BC Lions from 1971 to 1975...
- 1970: Jim BettsJim BettsJim Betts is a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives. He ran against incumbent U.S. Senator John Glenn in 1980. He lost and ran in 1982 for Lieutenant Governor.-References:...
- 1971: Guy Murdock
- 1972: Randy LoganRandy LoganRandolph "Randy" Logan is a former American football safety who played for eleven seasons in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1973 to 1983. He was drafted by the Eagles in the third round of the 1973 NFL Draft. He played college football at the University of Michigan...
- 1973: Paul SealPaul SealPaul Nathan Seal is a former American football tight end in the National Football League. He was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the second round of the 1974 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan....
- 1974: Dennis FranklinDennis FranklinDennis Franklin is a former professional American football player who was drafted by the Detroit Lions of the National Football League in the 1975 NFL Draft. Prior to playing for in the NFL he played quarterback of the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1971-1974. He served as the...
- 1975: Dan Jilek
- 1976: Greg Morton
- 1977: John Anderson
- 1978: Gene Johnson
- 1979: Curtis Greer
- 1980: George LiljaGeorge LiljaGeorge Vincent Lilja is a former professional American football offensive lineman who played for several National Football League teams over the course of six seasons. He is also a former collegiate All-American center for the Michigan Wolverines football team...
- 1981: Stan Edwards
- 1982: Stefan HumphriesStefan HumphriesStefan Govan Humphries, MD is a former American football offensive lineman in the NFL. He played five seasons for the Chicago Bears and Denver Broncos. He attended the University of Michigan. Humphries was a part of the 1985 Bears that won Super Bowl XX. He was also a member of the "Shuffling...
- 1983: Steve SmithSteve Smith (quarterback)Steve Smith is a former American football quarterback. He was the starting quarterback for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1981 to 1983....
- 1984: Jim HarbaughJim HarbaughJames Joseph "Jim" Harbaugh is an American football coach and former player. He is currently the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Harbaugh agreed to a five-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers on January 7, 2011. Previously, he was the head coach at...
- 1985: Clay Miller
- 1986: Doug Mallory
- 1987: Jamie MorrisJamie MorrisJames Walter "Jamie" Morris is a former professional American football running back in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins and a record-setting running back in college for the University of Michigan Wolverines...
- 1988: John Vitale
- 1989: Chris Calloway
- 1990: Matt Elliott
- 1991: Desmond HowardDesmond HowardDesmond Kevin Howard is a former NFL wide receiver, punt returner, and kickoff returner.He played football for the University of Michigan from 1989–1991 and won the Heisman Trophy in 1991...
- 1992: Chris HutchinsonChris Hutchinson (American football)Chris Hutchinson was an All-American defensive tackle for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1989 to 1992. A native of Houston, Texas, Hutchinson starred at Cypress Creek High School. He played in 48 games for the University of Michigan—39 as a starter...
- 1993: Todd Collins
- 1994: Jay RiemersmaJay RiemersmaAllen Jay Riemersma is a former American football tight end. He played for the University of Michigan from 1994 to 1995. He next played nine seasons in the NFL for the Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers . In 2007, he accepted a position as the regional director of the Family Research...
- 1995: Jarrett IronsJarrett IronsJarrett Irons is a former All-American linebacker who played for the University of Michigan Wolverines football team from 1993-1996. A native of The Woodlands, Texas, Irons was twice selected to the All Big Ten Conference team and was a team co-captain in 1995 and 1996...
- 1996: Damon DensonDamon DensonDamon Michael Denson is a preacher, motivational speaker, writer and former American football guard in the National Football League .-Early life and history:...
- 1997: Clint Copenhaver
- 1998: Tai StreetsTai StreetsTai Streets is a former professional American football wide receiver in the National Football League . He was selected with the second pick of the sixth round of the 1999 NFL Draft by the San Francisco 49ers. He also played for the Detroit Lions in 2004. He was the leading receiver for the...
- 1999: Grady Brooks
- 2000: Jeff BackusJeff BackusJeff Backus is an American football offensive tackle with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. Backus played football for the University of Michigan. He was drafted with the 18th pick in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions...
- 2001: Bill Seymour
- 2002: Victor HobsonVictor HobsonVictor Brian Hobson is an American football linebacker who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the second round of the 2003 NFL Draft...
- 2003: John NavarreJohn NavarreJohn Robert Navarre is a former American football quarterback who was a three-year starter for the Michigan Wolverines from 2001 to 2003, leading the Wolverines to the 2003 Big Ten Conference championship in his final year of eligibility...
- 2004: Braylon EdwardsBraylon Edwards-Cleveland Browns:-2005:Edwards began his rookie season as Cleveland's third wide receiver – he would have started higher, but a hold-out caused him to miss the beginning of training camp. Early in the season Edwards revealed that he had a staph infection, and missed a few weeks as a result of it....
- 2005: Tim MassaquoiTim MassaquoiArnold Timothy Massaquoi is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the seventh round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Michigan...
- 2006: Steve BreastonSteve BreastonSteven William Breaston is an American football wide receiver and punt returner for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2007 NFL Draft...
- 2007: Chad HenneChad HenneChad Steven Henne is an American football quarterback for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League.He graduated from Wilson Senior High School and attended the University of Michigan...
- 2008: Will Johnson
- 2009: Stevie BrownStevie Brown-College:At Michigan, he was elected captain as a senior. Over the course of his career he had 31 special teams tackles, including 11 as a sophomore when he led the 2007 team. As a senior, he led the 2009 Wolverines in tackles with 80...
- 2010: Greg Banks