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Howard Cassady
Howard Cassady
Howard Cassady
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Howard Albert "Hopalong" Cassady (March 2, 1934 – September 20, 2019) was an American professional football halfback and split end who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1955. Cassady played in the NFL for eight seasons, seven of them for the Detroit Lions, with whom he won the 1957 NFL Championship Game. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979.

Key Information

Early life

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Cassady was born in Columbus, Ohio and attended the now closed Central High School.

College career

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Cassady played football for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1952 to 1955. During his college career, he scored 37 touchdowns in 36 games. He also played defensive back; a pass was never completed on him in his four years at the university. He was twice selected as a unanimous All-American, in 1954 and 1955. The 1954 Buckeyes finished the season 10–0 and won a consensus national championship. That year Cassady finished third in the vote for the Heisman Trophy, behind Alan Ameche of Wisconsin. In 1955, he won the Heisman Trophy (by the largest margin at the time) and the Maxwell Award, and was named the Associated Press Athlete of the Year. During his playing days, he was 5'10" and 170 pounds.

Cassady earned the nickname "Hopalong" during his first game as a freshman for Ohio State. Columbus sportswriters who saw him play said he "hopped all over the field like the performing cowboy", a reference to the fictional character Hopalong Cassidy. In that game, Cassady came off the bench to score three touchdowns in a win over Indiana University.

During an Ohio State practice in 1953, Cassady was having trouble executing an off-tackle run. At this point Coach Woody Hayes told Cassady to take a seat and brought in backup running back Robert Croce, who executed the play flawlessly and carried the ball for 20+ yards. Hayes then told Cassady, "Cassady, did you see that Croce was just slow enough to hit the hole. You're hitting the line too fast!"

Cassady held some Ohio State career records for many years following his graduation. He held the career rushing record (2,466 yards) until it was surpassed by Jim Otis in 1969, the career all-purpose yards record (4,403 yards) until surpassed by Archie Griffin in 1974, and the scoring record (222 points) until surpassed by Pete Johnson in 1975.

Cassady also played baseball for Ohio State. He led the team in home runs in 1955, and stolen bases in 1956. He also became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity there.

He was a member of The Pigskin Club Of Washington, D.C. National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.

Professional career

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Cassady played eight seasons in the National Football League: seven (1956–1961, and 1963) for the Detroit Lions, and one season (1962) split between the Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles. In the NFL he was an all-purpose back, playing both receiver and running back and scoring 27 career touchdowns.

After football

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After retiring from football, Cassady became an entrepreneur forming a company manufacturing concrete pipe. He then served as a scout for the New York Yankees baseball team, and as the first base coach for their former AAA affiliate, the Columbus Clippers.

His son Craig Cassady played defensive back at Ohio State, and briefly in the NFL for the New Orleans Saints in the 1970s.[1]

Cassady died on September 20, 2019, at his home in Tampa, Florida.[2][3] He is one of at least 345 NFL players to be diagnosed after death with chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE),[4] which is caused by repeated hits to the head.[5][6]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Howard Cassady

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Howard Cassady (March 2, 1934 – September 20, 2019) was an player best known for his stellar college career at , where he earned the in 1955 as the nation's top player and helped lead the Buckeyes to the 1954 national championship. Born and raised in , Cassady earned his nickname "Hopalong" for his elusive running style reminiscent of the cowboy character , and he became a four-year starter for the Buckeyes from 1952 to 1955. During his college tenure, Cassady amassed 2,466 rushing yards and 37 touchdowns over 36 games, contributing to a 29-8 record for Ohio State under coach . In 1954, he was named a unanimous All-American (1954 and 1955) as the team went undefeated at 10-0, culminating in a 20-7 Rose Bowl victory over USC to secure the national title—the program's first under Hayes. The following year, Cassady rushed for 958 yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, earning the Heisman with 2,219 points from 1,324 voters on November 29, 1955, making him Ohio State's third recipient after (1944) and (1950). He also excelled in at Ohio State, serving as a three-year starting . Selected in the first round of the 1956 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions, Cassady transitioned to defensive back and wide receiver, playing eight seasons in the league from 1956 to 1963 across three teams: the Lions (1956–1961, 1963), Cleveland Browns (1962), and Philadelphia Eagles (1962). In 84 NFL games, he recorded 1,229 rushing yards on 316 carries with 6 touchdowns, 1,601 receiving yards on 111 catches with 19 touchdowns, and contributed on special teams with 77 kick returns for 1,594 yards and 50 punt returns for 338 yards, totaling 25 touchdowns. His professional career highlighted his versatility, though injuries limited his rushing role compared to college. Later in life, Cassady coached the team during summers and was inducted into multiple halls of fame, including the (1979), Athletics Hall of Fame (1977), and Columbus Baseball Hall of Fame (2005). He received the Athlete of the Year award in 1955, and his No. 40 jersey was retired by in 2000. Cassady spent his later years between , and Columbus, passing away at age 85.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Howard Cassady was born on March 2, 1934, in . He grew up in the Franklinton neighborhood on the city's west side, a working-class community with deep industrial ties dating back to the . Franklinton, often referred to as "The Bottoms" due to its frequent flooding from the nearby , was home to many blue-collar families during the and eras, conditions that emphasized resourcefulness and perseverance among its residents. As a young boy in this modest environment, Cassady developed an early fascination with football by sneaking into to watch games, igniting his passion for the sport. These informal experiences with neighborhood play and local athletics provided a natural foundation for his later involvement in organized high school sports.

High school career

Howard Cassady attended Central High School in , graduating in 1952 after starting his high school education in 1948. Cassady was a three-sport star at Central High School, excelling in football, , and . As a standout back for the Central High School Panthers, Cassady earned first-team All-Ohio honors from the in 1951, recognizing his exceptional performance as a back. His agility and speed on the field during high school games showcased the talent that would define his future career, with family support enabling his dedication to athletics. Cassady's high school exploits attracted attention from major college programs, culminating in a scholarship offer from Ohio State University head coach , who recruited the local star to join the Buckeyes in 1952.

College career

Freshman and sophomore years

Howard Cassady enrolled at in 1952, joining the Buckeyes football team under head coach , who granted him immediate varsity eligibility as a freshman despite his slight 5-foot-10, 150-pound frame. Recruited from his standout performance at Columbus Central High School, where he excelled as a multi-sport , Cassady quickly adapted to the rigors of , making his debut in the season opener against . Coming off the bench, he scored three touchdowns in a 33-0 victory, earning the nickname "Hopalong" after the fictional cowboy hero due to his elusive running style. During the 1952 season, Cassady played in all nine games in a limited role, primarily as a reserve and , while the Buckeyes finished with a 6-3 record. He recorded 65 rushing attempts for 293 yards and four rushing touchdowns, demonstrating his speed and agility on limited carries averaging 4.5 yards each. His contributions helped establish him as a promising talent in Hayes' run-heavy offense, though he focused on learning the system and building physical strength amid the demands of Big Ten competition. In his year of 1953, Cassady saw increased playing time across another nine-game schedule, rushing 86 times for 514 yards and six touchdowns as the Buckeyes again posted a 6-3 record. His improved production, including a stronger presence on defense with interceptions, reflected his growing integration into the team dynamic under Hayes' disciplined . Off the field, Cassady balanced his athletic commitments with coursework as a biological sciences major, maintaining academic eligibility while navigating the intense practice regimen and team expectations.

Junior and senior seasons

Cassady's junior season in marked a significant breakout, as he earned unanimous All-American honors while helping lead the to a perfect 10-0 record and a consensus . He rushed for 701 yards and scored 6 rushing touchdowns, contributing to the team's dominant ground attack under coach . Key performances included a 52-yard touchdown run in a 21-7 victory over rival , securing the Big Ten title, and a 92-yard rushing effort in the 1955 Rose Bowl, where Ohio State defeated USC 20-7 to cap their undefeated campaign. In his senior year of 1955, Cassady continued his excellence, rushing for 958 yards on 161 carries with a 6.0-yard average and 15 touchdowns, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors and recognition as the conference's most valuable player via the Chicago Tribune Trophy. He also served as the Buckeyes' team MVP, building on his prior seasons' momentum to anchor the offense despite the team's 7-2 overall record and 6-0 Big Ten mark. A standout game came in a 17-0 of , where Cassady scored on a 2-yard plunge, extending Ohio State's conference winning streak to a school-record 13 games and clinching another Big Ten championship. Over his four college seasons at State, Cassady amassed 2,466 rushing yards and scored 37 touchdowns overall, totals that set school records at the time and underscored his role as one of the program's most dynamic runners.

and

In 1954, Howard Cassady played a pivotal role in State's undefeated 10-0 season, which earned the Buckeyes their first under head coach . As a versatile halfback and , Cassady's contributions on both sides of the ball helped secure the team's perfect record, culminating in a 20-7 Rose Bowl victory over USC. The Buckeyes were recognized as national champions by the in their final post-bowl poll, marking a defining moment in the program's history. The following year, Cassady's outstanding performance led to his selection as the 1955 winner, an award he claimed by the largest margin in its history at that time, receiving 594 first-place votes out of 1,324 total ballots for a total of 2,219 points under the 3-2-1 scoring system. The ceremony took place on November 29, 1955, at the in , where Cassady was honored as the nation's top player. In addition to the , he received the as the country's most outstanding player and was named the Male Athlete of the Year. Cassady's achievements elevated his profile as "Hopalong" Cassady—a nickname inspired by the star —and garnered widespread media attention, portraying him as a hometown hero from Columbus who embodied State's gridiron prowess. His success symbolized the rising excellence of the Buckeyes program and contributed significantly to the early dominance of the era, setting a foundation for multiple championships in the decades that followed.

Professional career

Cleveland Browns tenure

Cassady was acquired by the Cleveland Browns from the on March 29, 1962, in a trade that also brought to Cleveland in exchange for Tom Watkins and linebacker Dave Lloyd (along with quarterbacks Milt Plum and Jim Ninowski swapped the other way). He appeared in five games for the Browns that year, primarily contributing on special teams as a . In his limited role with Cleveland, Cassady handled 10 kickoff returns for 233 yards, averaging 23.3 yards per return, and seven punt returns for 47 yards, averaging 6.7 yards per return, with a longest punt return of 13 yards. He did not record any rushing attempts, receptions, or touchdowns during his Browns tenure, reflecting the challenges of transitioning to a depth role behind established backs like . Midway through the 1962 season, Cassady was waived by the Browns and claimed by the , marking the end of his brief stint in . Despite his pedigree from Ohio State, injuries and competition for carries limited his offensive impact in the professional ranks, including with the Browns.

Detroit Lions stint

Cassady rejoined the Lions organization in 1963 after his 1962 stint split between and , where he had originally spent the first six years of his professional career from 1956 to 1961. During the 1963 season, Cassady served primarily as a and special teams contributor for the Lions, who finished with a 5-8-1 record in the Western Conference, missing the playoffs amid a transitional period after their 1957 championship. He appeared in only two games, logging no starts and recording no offensive statistics in rushing or receiving. His limited involvement included one punt return for 7 yards in a Week 13 victory over on December 8, 1963, a 38-10 win that highlighted the Lions' defensive strength but underscored Cassady's diminished role. Cassady's abbreviated participation reflected the challenges of reintegrating into the Lions' system after his time away, compounded by the team's depth at with players like Nick Pietrosante leading the ground game. The Lions' offense ranked mid-pack league-wide, averaging 23.3 points per game, but Cassady's prior experience as a versatile halfback and from his earlier tenure did not translate to significant snaps in this rebuilding year. Despite the constraints, his presence added veteran leadership to a squad navigating roster changes and coaching stability under George Wilson.

Later life and legacy

Business and scouting roles

After retiring from the following the 1963 season, Cassady founded a company in that manufactured concrete pipes and other industrial products. He operated the business before selling it to pursue other ventures, including selling steel to companies. Later, he worked for at American Shipbuilding in Tampa, leveraging connections from his football career. In the 1970s, Cassady transitioned to , joining the New York Yankees organization under Steinbrenner, where he was hired as a scout in 1973. He contributed to the team's farm system by evaluating talent and implementing a program for players. Over nearly two decades, Cassady served as a scout, special instructor, and first base coach for the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate, the , starting his coaching role around 1992 and continuing into the 2000s. His work focused on developing young outfielders and infielders, earning praise for his humility and dedication to player growth from Yankees executives, including . Cassady maintained strong connections to his Ohio State roots throughout his post-playing career, frequently participating in university events and supporting Buckeyes athletics, which kept him engaged with football long after his professional days.

Personal life and death

Howard Cassady married Barbara (known as Barb) in the mid-1970s, following an earlier marriage to Betty Gehring that ended in divorce and produced two sons. In 1974, Cassady and his family relocated to Tampa, Florida, where they established their long-term residence. The couple raised their blended family, which included sons Craig and David from his first marriage, as well as daughter Rayne, who later married Jay Schultheis. Cassady's business success in scouting and related ventures supported the family's stability during their years in Tampa. In his later years, Cassady remained active in the Tampa community, supporting local charities such as VFW Post 4321, the , and the , while also participating in the Ohio State Alumni Club. His involvement extended to mentoring youth through athletic programs and halls of fame events, reflecting his commitment to giving back. Beginning in the 2010s, Cassady experienced a health decline marked by , which affected his memory and daily activities, though he continued to receive family support. Cassady passed away on September 20, 2019, at his home in Tampa at the age of 85 from natural causes. He was survived by his wife Barbara, sons Craig and David, daughter Rayne Schultheis, grandchildren Kyle and Shea Cassady, Michael and Sunny Schultheis, and great-grandchildren Sady, Emme, and Elle. Funeral services were held in Columbus, Ohio, on September 29 and 30, 2019, including a gathering at Schoedinger Midtown Chapel and a private graveside service at Dublin Cemetery. Tributes poured in from the Ohio State University community, the NFL, and the Heisman Trophy Trust, honoring his legacy as a devoted family man and community figure alongside his athletic achievements.

Awards and honors

During his college career at , Howard Cassady earned unanimous honors in 1954, recognizing his outstanding performance as a halfback that contributed to the Buckeyes' undefeated season. In 1955, he won the as the nation's top player and the as the outstanding player in . Cassady was inducted into the in 1979 for his contributions to the sport. In the professional ranks, Cassady played a key role in the ' 1957 NFL championship victory, catching a touchdown pass in the title game against the . Cassady received several lifetime honors, including induction into the Athletics Hall of Fame in 1977 and the Columbus Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005. Following his death on September 20, 2019, Cassady was honored with tributes from , including a memorial recognition at the Buckeyes' subsequent home football game, and widespread acknowledgments from the community for his legacy as a Heisman winner and national champion.

References

  1. https://www.heisman.com/heisman-winners/howard-cassady/
  2. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CassHo00.htm
  3. https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/honors/hall-of-fame-inductees/howard-hopalong--cassady/53
  4. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4002281/bio/
  5. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/203158585/howard-cassady
  6. https://www.dispatch.com/story/sports/college/football/2019/09/20/osu-great-cassady-starred-on/2720887007/
  7. https://www.wosu.org/arts-culture/2024-02-12/a-tale-of-two-franklintons-development-and-affordability-spar-in-central-ohios-oldest-community
  8. https://www.columbusmonthly.com/story/lifestyle/2014/08/18/bottoms-up-franklinton-s-growing/22787350007/
  9. https://columbusfreepress.com/article/franklintown-1797-2022-and-columbus%25E2%2580%2599-contradictions
  10. https://news.osu.edu/buckeyes-mourn-the-loss-of-howard-hopalong-cassady/
  11. https://www.ohsaa.org/sports/history/FT/51&52AllOhioTeams.pdf
  12. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1228228/2019/09/20/what-i-learned-about-howard-cassady-on-the-passing-of-the-buckeye-legend-at-age-85/
  13. https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/howard-cassady
  14. http://unclemikesmusings.blogspot.com/2019/09/howard-cassady-1934-2019.html
  15. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/howard-cassady-1.html
  16. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/ohio-state/1952-schedule.html
  17. https://www.cleveland.com/osu-michigan/2012/02/osu-michigan_1954_hopalong_cas.html
  18. https://www.cleveland.com/osu/2009/12/buckeye_rose_bowl_rewind_natio.html
  19. https://www.cfbhall.com/inductees/howard-cassady-1979/
  20. https://www.cleveland.com/osu-michigan/2012/02/osu-michigan_1955_hopalong_cas.html
  21. https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/27659180/osu-heisman-winner-hopalong-cassady-dies
  22. https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/1954-national-championship
  23. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/awards/heisman-1955.html
  24. https://www.clevelandbrowns.com/team/history/draft-history/1960s
  25. https://www.nfl.com/news/former-lion-hopalong-cassady-passes-away-at-85-0ap3000001057020
  26. https://www.profootballhof.com/football-history/nfl-draft-history/1950/56/
  27. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/det/1963.htm
  28. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CassHo00/gamelog/1963
  29. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/20/sports/football/Howard-Hopalong-Cassady-dead.html
  30. https://apnews.com/article/4d7b6a82ad8a439391ab02f0d5c493ec
  31. https://www.thelantern.com/2000/07/hop-still-active-with-clippers/
  32. https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/tampabaytimes/name/howard-cassady-obituary?id=2123062
  33. https://www.mlb.com/news/howard-hop-cassady-who-worked-for-yankees-dies
  34. https://www.10tv.com/article/sports/ncaa/ncaaf/ohio-state-football/howard-hopalong-cassady-former-heisman-winner-ohio-state-dies-age-85-2019-oct/530-46f5035c-cec1-43ec-84b5-0860637f3ba3
  35. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/ohio-state-legend-heisman-winner-howard-hopalong-cassady-dies-at-85/7vjurpfkaw8g1iuehmhf0xtbc
  36. https://www.altogetherfuneral.com/obituaries/HowardCassady
  37. https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2023/12/08/heisman-winners-cte/
  38. https://footballfoundation.org/honors/hall-of-fame/howard-hopalong-cassady/1759
  39. https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/news/2019/9/20/buckeyes-mourn-the-loss-of-howard-hopalong-cassady
  40. https://fox28savannah.com/news/nation-world/heisman-trophy-winner-and-former-ohio-state-running-back-howard-cassady-passes-at-age-85
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