Grossman, Jack

John Grossman

A member of the Rutgers University Athletics Hall of Fame, Grossman was a three-sports star in college (football, basketball, and baseball). An All-America halfback at Rutgers University before playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the NFL. In 1932, his rookie season, he was fourth in the league in scoring and was named All-NFL. After his gridiron career was over, he moved to Chile and played professional baseball and soccer in Latin America.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. November 1, 1910 - d. February 6, 1983

Career Highlights:
Grossman was a prototype triple threat tailback at Rutgers in the early 1930s. In 1930, he threw the longest pass resulting in a touchdown (58 yards) of the college football season and was named AP All-American honorable mention. In 1931, Rutgers had a record of 4-3-1 as Jack gained 866 yards from scrimmage and 415 on kick/punt returns for a terrific total of 1,281 combined yards. He also threw for 274 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. That year, he was AP, Grantland Rice, and New York Sun All-America honorable mention. The Sun mentioned that had he played for a better team, he would have received a higher ranking. An all-around athlete, Jack was captain of the football, baseball, and basketball teams in 1931.

After graduating in 1932, Jack took his talents to the NFL. That season, he became an instant success as he was player/coach Benny Friedman's favorite receiver. In the second game of the season, Brooklyn played the Boston Braves in a game that introduced professional football in Boston, a bastion of the college game. The Boston Post reported that the passing combination of Friedman to Grossman was unstoppable and accounted for both touchdowns in the Dodgers' 14-0 victory. The Friedman-Grossman connection, however, could not help the Dodgers overcome their other deficiencies; the team finished the season in sixth place with a record of 3-9-0. But Jack was a bright spot and was selected second team All-NFL as he finished the season with a career-high five touchdowns (two rushing, three receiving). His 30 points were fourth most in the league; the Dodgers scored only 63 points all year! Jack also had career highs in rushes (129) and rushing yards (323).

After missing the 1933 season, Jack returned to the Dodgers in 1934. Grossman finished fourth in the league in receiving with 11 catches for 161 yards (14.6 average) and one touchdown; he also returned a punt for a touchdown. Jack played one more season for the Dodgers (5-6-1) and then retired, having played in 34 career NFL games.

Origin:
Poland

Career Dates:
Grossman played fullback at Rutgers University from 1929-1931. He then played defensive back, fullback, tailback, and wingback in the NFL with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1932 and from 1934-1935.

Physical description:
6'1", 193 pounds

Career Statistics:
In the NFL:
Games: 34

Passes completed: 21
Passes attempted: 75
Passing percentage: 28.0
Passing yards: 374
Passing touchdowns: 1
Interceptions thrown: 13

Rushes: 231
Rushing yards: 646
Rushing average: 2.8
Rushing touchdowns: 4

Receptions: 23
Receiving yards: 356
Receiving average: 15.5
Receiving touchdowns: 4

Punt returns for touchdown: 1

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