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Harry Gilmer, 1948
Photo: Bowman, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Running back, Alabama, 1944–⁠47

Harry Gilmer

Born
Apr 14, 1926, in Birmingham, Alabama
Died
Aug 20, 2016, in St. Louis, Missouri

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Harry Gilmer played running back at Alabama (1944–⁠47). He finished fifth in the 1945 Heisman vote. The Washington Redskins took Gilmer first overall in the 1948 NFL Draft. The Brooklyn Dodgers also took him in the first round, No. 3 overall in the 1948 AAFC Draft. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1993.

Best season
1946
First-team All-SEC and National leader in punt return yards (436)
National rank
No. 1
In the nation in punt return yards, 1946
Drafted
No. 1
Overall, 1948 NFL Draft (Washington Redskins)

Honors

Team titles: SEC champions, 1945

All-America: Collier’s first team 1945; Look magazine 1945; Sporting News 1945; AP second team 1945 and 1947; FWAA second team 1945 and 1947; INS second team 1945 and 1947; UP second team 1945 and 1947; NEA second team 1947; and 6 more selectors’ teams

Players of the year, conference and regional honors: Wikipedia’s lists (CC BY-SA), each linked from its honor.

The teams in those years

Our player records start in 2004; before that they hold the honors, the Heisman vote and the draft (from 1936), with college years from the player’s Wikipedia article where it gives them.

In the NFL

Pro Bowls: 2 (1950, 1952)

Pro Bowls and All-Pro teams by NFL season: rosters and honors, Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).

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