Disend, Leo "Moose"

On October 22, 1939, Disend was a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers when they made history in Pro football's first televised game against the Philadelphia Eagles. The game was played in Brooklyn's Ebbets Field before 13,000 people. The day before the pro contest, 70,000 had filled Yankee Stadium for a college game, but TV was going to change that pattern. As far as anyone can tell, none of the players knew the game was being broadcast to the roughly 1,000 TV sets in New York City. Brooklyn defeated the Eagles (with Jewish player Dave Smukler), 23-14.

Birth and Death Dates:
b. November 7, 1915 - d. May 13, 1985

Career Highlights:
After a terrific career at Albright College, Disend played three seasons in the NFL, one of only five players from Albright to ever play in the league. Moose spent 1938 and 1939 with the Brooklyn Dodgers, who had a combined record of 8-6-4 in his two seasons, playing in all 22 games. One of his teammates on Brooklyn was Ed Merlin.

In 1940, Disend moved to the Green Bay Packers, who finished the season with a record of 6-4-1 and finished second in the NFL West. One of his teammates on the Packers was Buckets Goldenberg. Disend retired following the 1940 season, having played in 27 career NFL games. In 1990, Leo was inducted into the Albright Athletics Hall of Fame.

Origin:
New York City

Career Dates:
Disend played at Albright College, from 1935-1937. He then played tackle in the NFL with the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1938-1939, and for the Green Bay Packers in 1940.

Physical description:
6'2", 224 pounds

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