Ernie Nevers

Ernest Alonzo Nevers (June 11, 1902 – May 3, 1976), nicknamed "Big Dog," was an American professional football and baseball player and football coach who is widely regarded as one of the best football players of the first half of the 20th century. A fullback, he was a triple-threat man known for his running, passing, and kicking.

Nevers attended Stanford University from 1922 to 1925, where he competed in four sports: football, basketball, baseball, and track and field. In basketball he is credited with inventing the hook shot, won California Mr. Basketball in 1921, and was a two-year starting forward. He threw the javelin for the track and field team and played two years of varsity baseball before forgoing his senior year to pursue a football career. In football he was a consensus first-team All-American in 1925.

He played professional football in the National Football League for the Duluth Eskimos in 1926 and 1927 and the Chicago Cardinals.

Nevers was inducted in the inaugural classes of both the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963. In 1969 he was named to the NFL 1920s All-Decade Team.