Tony Canadeo
Encyclopedia
Anthony Robert "Tony" Canadeo (May 5, 1919November 29, 2003) was a professional football
player, a halfback
and quarterback
for the NFL's
Green Bay Packers
from 1941 to 1944 and 1946 to 1952, having missed the 1945 season
while serving in the United States Army
during World War II
.
Born and raised in Chicago, Tony Canadeo attended Charles P. Steinmetz Academic Centre, formerly known as Steinmetz High School, a public four-year high school located in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It is a part of the Chicago Public Schools District 299. It is named for the handicapped German-American mathematician and electrical engineer Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1865-1923).
Canadeo played college football
at Gonzaga University
in Spokane
, where he was first known as the "Gray Ghost of Gonzaga ," due to his prematurely graying hair.
He was selected by the Packers in the ninth round (77th overall) of the 1941 NFL Draft
. He joined the army in 1945, but returned in 1946 and became Green Bay's primary ball carrier. He was the first Packer to rush for 1000 yards in a season and the third player ever in the NFL to accomplish this feat. Canadeo rushed for 1052 yards in 1949
, as the Packers struggled to a 2-10 record. In addition to his accomplishments as a running back, Canadeo also recorded nine career interceptions on defense and served as the team's punter.
Canadeo is one of only five Green Bay Packers to have his number retired by the team. His number (3) was retired immediately in 1952
, preceded by Don Hutson
(14) in 1951
, and followed by Bart Starr
(15) in 1973, Ray Nitschke
(66) in 1983
, and Reggie White
(92) in 2005
. Canadeo was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame
in 1973.
After his playing career, Canadeo continued his association with the Green Bay Packers team as a broadcaster and member of the organization's executive committee. He remained listed as one of the directors emeritus.
He played a small part in helping Jack Vainisi reassure Vince Lombardi in 1959 that the transition from NYC to Green Bay would be comfortable for his family.
Tony Canadeo, "The Gray Ghost of Gonzaga," was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
in 1974. He died in Green Bay in 2003 at the age of 84.
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, a halfback
Halfback (American football)
A halfback, sometimes referred to as a tailback, is an offensive position in American football, which lines up in the backfield and generally is responsible for carrying the ball on run plays. Historically, from the 1870s through the 1950s, the halfback position was both an offensive and defensive...
and quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
for the NFL's
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
from 1941 to 1944 and 1946 to 1952, having missed the 1945 season
1945 NFL season
The 1945 NFL season was the 26th regular season of the National Football League. The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Chicago Cardinals resumed their traditional operations....
while serving in the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Born and raised in Chicago, Tony Canadeo attended Charles P. Steinmetz Academic Centre, formerly known as Steinmetz High School, a public four-year high school located in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. It is a part of the Chicago Public Schools District 299. It is named for the handicapped German-American mathematician and electrical engineer Charles Proteus Steinmetz (1865-1923).
Canadeo played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University is a private Roman Catholic university located in Spokane, Washington, United States. Founded in 1887 by the Society of Jesus, it is one of 28 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and is named after the young Jesuit saint, Aloysius Gonzaga...
in Spokane
Spokane, Washington
Spokane is a city located in the Northwestern United States in the state of Washington. It is the largest city of Spokane County of which it is also the county seat, and the metropolitan center of the Inland Northwest region...
, where he was first known as the "Gray Ghost of Gonzaga ," due to his prematurely graying hair.
He was selected by the Packers in the ninth round (77th overall) of the 1941 NFL Draft
1941 NFL Draft
The 1941 National Football League Draft was held on December 10, 1940.Despite having three picks in the first round, only Norm Standlee ever played for the Chicago Bears.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:...
. He joined the army in 1945, but returned in 1946 and became Green Bay's primary ball carrier. He was the first Packer to rush for 1000 yards in a season and the third player ever in the NFL to accomplish this feat. Canadeo rushed for 1052 yards in 1949
1949 NFL season
The 1949 NFL season was the 30th regular season of the National Football League. Prior to the season, Boston Yanks owner Ted Collins asked the league to fold his team due to financial woes, and give him a new one in New York City...
, as the Packers struggled to a 2-10 record. In addition to his accomplishments as a running back, Canadeo also recorded nine career interceptions on defense and served as the team's punter.
1952 NFL season
The 1952 NFL season was the 33rd regular season of the National Football League. Prior to the season, New York Yanks owner Ted Collins sold his team back to the NFL...
, preceded by Don Hutson
Don Hutson
Donald Montgomery Hutson was the first star wide receiver in National Football League history. He is considered by many to have been the first modern receiver....
(14) in 1951
1951 NFL season
The 1951 NFL season was the 32nd regular season of the National Football League. Prior to the season, Baltimore Colts owner Abraham Watner faced financial difficulties, and thus gave his team and its player contracts back to the league for $50,000. However, many Baltimore fans started to protest...
, and followed by Bart Starr
Bart Starr
Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr is a former professional American football player and coach. Wearing #15, he was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971 and head coach from 1975 to 1983, compiling a record of 52–76–3 ....
(15) in 1973, Ray Nitschke
Ray Nitschke
Raymond Ernest "Ray" Nitschke was a professional football player who played his entire career as a middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the NFL. Wearing #66, he played fifteen seasons, from 1958-72....
(66) in 1983
1983 NFL season
The 1983 NFL season was the 64th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XVIII when the Los Angeles Raiders defeated the Washington Redskins.-Major rule changes:...
, and Reggie White
Reggie White
Reginald Howard "Reggie" White was a professional American football player. He played 15 seasons as a defensive end in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers, becoming one of the most decorated players in NFL history...
(92) in 2005
2005 NFL season
The 2005 NFL season was the 86th regular season of the National Football League.With the New England Patriots as the defending league champions, regular season play was held from September 8, 2005 to January 1, 2006...
. Canadeo was elected to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame
Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame
The Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame is a promenade in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, dedicated to honoring distinguished members of Wisconsin's sports history. New members are honored at a biennial banquet.-History:...
in 1973.
After his playing career, Canadeo continued his association with the Green Bay Packers team as a broadcaster and member of the organization's executive committee. He remained listed as one of the directors emeritus.
He played a small part in helping Jack Vainisi reassure Vince Lombardi in 1959 that the transition from NYC to Green Bay would be comfortable for his family.
Tony Canadeo, "The Gray Ghost of Gonzaga," was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
in 1974. He died in Green Bay in 2003 at the age of 84.
External links
- Find a grave.com - Tony Canadeo