Steve Van Buren

Philadelphia Eagles (1944-1951)

7 × All-Pro selection (1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950)
2 × NFL Champion (1948, 1949)
Philadelphia Eagles Honor Roll (1987 )
NFL 75th Anniversary All- Time Team
NFL 1940s All- Decade Team
Back number blocked for the Eagles
Pro Football Hall of Fame (1965 )
Louisiana State University Athletic Hall of Fame (1944 )
Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame (1961 )
Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame (1964 )
Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame (2004)

Stephen W. "Steve" Van Buren ( born December 28, 1920 in La Ceiba, Honduras, † August 23 2012 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania), nicknamed: Wham Bam or Supersonic Steve, a U.S. American football player in was the National Football League. He played as a halfback at the Philadelphia Eagles.

Life

Youth

Steve Van Buren was born in 1920 in Honduras and grew initially in Tela. At the age of 10 years, his parents died. He retired as an orphan to New Orleans and was henceforth brought up by his grandparents. In New Orleans, he attended Easton High School. To be particularly diligent student Van Buren did not apply. American football, he played only in his last year of school, but as with outstanding success. He put in touchdowns scored and erlaufenem space gain on each of the national record. His outstanding athletic achievements earned him an athletic scholarship.

Playing career

College career

Steve Van Buren studied 1941-1943 at Louisiana State University, where he played American football for the Tigers. The strong player was first used as a blocking back and had the task freizublocken the way into the opponent's end zone for his teammates. It was not until his senior year, he was given the opportunity as a halfback with the ball to run itself. His 150 runs led to a space gain of 847 yards. These values were, as on the high school national record. After the 1943 season he was with his team in the Orange Bowl move, the team with 19:14 win against the Texas A & M University. Van Buren made in this game once again with an outstanding performance, the scouts of the NFL 's attention. Although he had sprained his ankle, he ran with the ball over a total distance of 172 yards and entered successfully as a punter and placekicker. He wore it significantly with three touchdowns to win his Tigers at. Van Buren has received several awards due to its sporting performance of his college.

Professional career

In 1944, Steve Van Buren was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round in fifth place. He received an annual salary of $ 4,000. Coach of the team was Greasy Neale, who used Van Buren already in his rookie year as a starter.

In his first year as a pro Van Buren scored with 5.6 yards per run space gain the highest average of all NFL players. Even after this, Van Buren on numerous NFL records years. In the game between 1945 and 1947 to 1949 he presented the annual records on the total space gain achieved by running plays. In the four seasons he also scored the most touchdowns.

Despite the superior performance of Van Buren, the Eagles were an average team until 1947. Only this year, Van Buren succeeded with his team making the play -offs. In the NFL playoff but it failed because of the Chicago Cardinals with 28:21. Van Buren erlief a touchdown, but was otherwise under its usual services and could only Walk a room gain of 26 yards.

The Eagles were able in 1947 to tie the wide receiver Pete Pihos to the team from Philadelphia. Pihos and Van Buren were alongside players such as Bucko Kilroy and Al Wistert the foundation of the team, which was formed by Neale to a top team. The offense of the Eagles dominated in the next few years the NFL. In 1948 Van Buren win the first NFL championship. Once again, the Cardinals were the opponents. Steve Van Buren scored the decisive touchdown for the 7-0 victory of his team. In the game he also managed a space gain of 98 yards. The following year, the Eagles repeated their title win and beat after a season with 11 wins in a NFL playoff defeat in the Los Angeles Rams 14-0. With the increasing latitude of 196 yards by running plays Van Buren was again decisive share of the title. After the 1952 season, Van Buren ended his career. He had been in the pre-season, a broken leg, which contributed to his early career end.

Familial

The younger brother of Steve Van Buren, Ebert Van Buren, was also player of the Eagles and played from 1951 to 1953 in Philadelphia. Van Buren went to his career after various professions and lived a long time in a suburb of Philadelphia. He died on August 23, 2012 from the effects of pneumonia in a nursing home in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Honors

Steve Van Buren was elected seven times to the All Pro. He is in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and will be honored at the Philadelphia Eagles Honor Roll. He is also a member of the NFL 75th Anniversary All- Time Team, in the Louisiana State University Athletic Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame, the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame and in the NFL 1940s All- Decade Team, as well as in the Philadelphia Sports Hall of Fame. His jersey number 15 is locked at the Eagles. The magazine The Sporting News ' pick as one of the 100 best football players of all time.

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