Kallet, Harry "Fuzzy"

Aaron Harry Kallet

Kallet was an end for Syracuse University and played all sixty minutes in 17 consecutive games. He later became a specialist in obstetrics.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. August 2, 1887 - d. April 13, 1965

Career Highlights:
Kallet, who arrived in the United States as an infant, originally went out for football at Syracuse in 1907. Although he attended every practice, he did not appear in a game during the year although he received a second team letter for "loyalty." In 1908, Kallet entered medical school, which kept him from playing, but he returned to the team in 1909 while still in medical school and earned a letter on the varsity team.

He said, "After the (final) game...the coaches gathered together to discuss the prospects for the next year and when my name came up the end coach said: 'He's no good. Don't waste any time on him.' I was invited back for early camp (in 1910)...I was the only letterman cut...I was urged to quit by my family and friends and was tempted to, but chose to await the events of the week and whether or not I'd make the Yale trip. I started the game and played 60 minutes. I had no trouble from then on until my last semester." That year, Kallet started at end in the second game of the year against Yale and although the Orangemen lost, 12-6, Kallet played well enough to win a permanent starting spot.

In 1911, Kallet was named Syracuse Post All-America first team, and Walter Camp third team All-America as Syracuse had a record of 5-3-2. That season, Kallet had the best game of his career against the Jim Thorpe-led, Pop Warner-coached Carlisle Indians, who had defeated mighty Harvard the previous week. Kallet and Syracuse defeated Carlisle, 12-11, and Fuzzy later said, "I still enjoy memories of that game, and I had a part in stopping Thorpe cold. Once, when Syracuse punted, the ball went to Jim. He had to squat to grab it. I charged in, left my feet, and found myself going over his head. At the last second, I reached back, hooked my arm under his shoulder, and made him do a backward somersault...When Jim got up he started to make what looked like a pass at me. Instead, he patted me on the shoulder and said, 'Nice work, boy.' Jim...considered an American idol and one of the greatest football heroes, so you can see why I feel so proud of that game."

In 1931, the Syracuse Post named Fuzzy to the Syracuse All-Time team and wrote, "Kallet was poison to opposing backs, was a smart, brainy player and could hold his own with any of the wingmen who appeared on the gridiron during his period." In 1967, Kallet was posthumously given the Syracuse Letterwinner of Distinction Award; it is the most prestigious honor a former varsity student-athlete can receive (other winners include Joe Alexander, 'Bus' Friedman, Marty Glickman, and Mort Starobin).

Origin:
Warsaw, Poland

Career Dates:
Kallet played end for Syracuse University from 1909-1911.

Physical description:
145 pounds

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