Pat Summerall

Pat Summerall was born in Lake City, Florida on May 10, 1930.  He played football, basketball, baseball and tennis at his local high school, Columbia.

Summerall attended the University of Arkansas where he played football for three years.  Besides playing tight end on offense and defensive end, he was also the team's place kicker for field goals and extra points.

After being drafted by the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL), Summerall played five years for the Chicago (now Arizona) Cardinals and four years for the New York football Giants.  He was primarily known for his placekicking ability.  Summerall used the straight ahead approach instead of the soccer style which everybody currently uses and has used for many years.

After the 1961 season, Summerall retired from football and moved into a very successful broadcasting career.  He became an analyst for NFL games, a position he held for forty years.  

The highlight of Summerall's football career occurred on December 14, 1958 at Yankee Stadium.  It was the regular season finale against the Cleveland Browns.  The Giants trailed the Eastern Conference's first place Browns by one game and needed a victory to force a one-game playoff to determine who would play the Baltimore (now Indianapolis) Colts in the NFL championship game (pre-Super Bowl).

As the game was winding down, the score was tied at 10-10.  Such a final result (there was no overtime during the regular season) would benefit the Browns.  They would be Eastern Conference champion.  

The Giants were able to edge into Cleveland's territory.  On fourth down, with swirling winds and snow falling, Summerall went out on the field to attempt a 49 yard field goal to give the Giants the win and force a playoff game against the Browns the following Sunday.

Summerall made the kick and became a sports legend.  The Giants beat the Browns the following weekend (10-0), but lost to the Colts in the first NFL championship overtime game two weeks later (23-17).

Pat Summerall died in Dallas, Texas on April 16, 2013 (ten years ago).