Played halfback/defensive back/tailback/blocking back for the National Football League's Chicago Bears (1925, 1929-1934) and New York Yankees (1927).
Scored four touchdowns in 12 minutes against Michigan in 1924 in the
dedication game of the University of Illinois' Memorial Stadium.
Signed a pro football contract with the Bears in 1925 immediately after
his last collegiate game and formed a partnership with promoter C. C.
Pyle. Played a series of exhibition games with the Bears that
winter.
Suffered a severe knee injury in a game against the Bears in 1927 while
with the Yankees and although he eventually recovered and returned to
play football, he was never the same again.
[on appearing in movies] I don't want to play a sheik part. This business of lollygagging around with a girl most of the time is not in my line. I can do all the rough work on the gridiron, but I want to do very little in the parlor.