THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, September 4, 2020 Page 5 Hopalong Cassady By Th e Old Sachem, Bill Stewart T his not about the movies and television and Hopalong Cassidy. I’m clueing you in to an outstanding football player of the 1950s who most of you readers have never heard of. But that doesn’t lessen his capabilities. Howard Albert “Hopalong” Cassady was born March 2, 1934 (seven months before me), in Hendrysburg, Ohio, and died September 20, 2019, at the age of 85, in Tampa, Florida. He became famous in the Columbus area as a halfback in the Central High School in Columbus, Ohio, moved on to Ohio State University, where he won the Heisman Trophy as an All-American, and gravitated to the National Football League as a fi rst-round pick in 1956. During his time at Ohio State from 1952 to 1955, he was both a running back and a defensive halfback. Cassady scored 37 touchdowns in 36 games for the Buckeyes during his four years. The Columbus sportswriters labelled him as “Hopalong” after seeing him in his fi rst game, where they described him as he “hopped all over the fi eld like a performing cowboy.” As a defender no complete passes were caught against him during his fouryear, University days. He was twice selected as a consensus All-American (54 & 55); the Buckeyes had an undefeated season and were labelled as the consensus national champion. He fi nished third behind Alan Ameche of Wisconsin in 1954 and won the Heisman in 1955, won the Maxwell Award, and was named Associated Bill Stewart The Old Sachem Press Athlete of the Year. He held many records at his time at Ohio – the career rushing record of 2,466 yards, career allpurpose yards of 4,403, and the scoring record of 222 points – all of which were exceeded in subsequent years. As a college baseball player, he led the team in home runs in 1955 and stolen bases in the spring of 1956. Cassady was inducted into the College Hall of Fame in 1979 and also the Ohio State Athletics and the Columbus (Ohio) Baseball Hall of Fame. Cassady played nine seasons in the National Football League, seven for the Detroit Lions who drafted him in the fi rst round as the seventh pick, then one year each for the Cleveland Browns and the Philadelphia Eagles. Hopalong played both running back and receiver in his NFL career. Cassady caught a touchdown pass as the Lions routed the Cleveland Browns in the 1957 NFL title game. His NFL statistics were 1,229 yards rushing, averaging 3.9 yards per carry, scoring six touchdowns rushing, and his career totals as a receiver were Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 dine drink gather enjo y BREAKAWAY OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES Thursday, Sept. 3 & Friday, September 4 at 9 PM FORTUNE A VIRTUAL WALK OF HOPE FOR ALS The Walk of Hope for ALS will be 19TH ANNUAL ALS Hope Walk for VIRTUAL of held virtually this year on SEPTEMBER 12TH SATURDAY 2020 11:00am Walk from anywhere! Register as an individual walker or create a team, gather your family and friends, practice social distancing, and join us virtually as we walk to raise funds for ALS research! We can’t walk together this year, but we can walk for ALS research! The Angel Fund for ALS Research 649 Main Street, Wakefield, MA 01880 Register today at www.theangelfund.org Call 781-245-7070 for more information Angel Fund for The RESEARCH A Tribute to Fleetwood Mac & Stevie Nicks OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES Saturday, September 12 at 9 PM TANGERINE Pizza “2 for Tuesday” Indulge in our Pizza "2 for Tuesday" every Tuesdays at Breakaway. A deal that you can't resist! You have the option to dine in or pick up! To learn more, call us at 978-774-7270. 221 Newbury Street, Danvers For Tickets call (978) 774-7270 or www.breakawaydanvers.com OUTDOOR CONCERT SERIES Saturday, September 5 at 9 PM WILDFIRE Friday, September 11 at 9 PM 18 touchdowns, caught 111 passes and gained 1,601 yards. After football he started a business that manufactured concrete pipe. He left that business to become a scout for the New York Yankees and a coach for the Columbus Clippers, an affi liate of the Yankees. He was well respected throughout both football and baseball as a complete player and a star wherever he went.
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