George Cafego

Infobox NFLretired


caption=
width=
position=Quarterback
number=72,32
birthdate=birth date|1915|8|29
Whipple, West Virginia
deathdate=death date and age|1998|2|9|1915|8|29
Knoxville, Tennessee
debutyear=1940
finalyear=1945
draftyear=1940
draftround=1
draftpick=1
college=Tennessee
teams=
*Brooklyn Dodgers (1940), (1943)
*Washington Redskins (1943)
*Boston Yanks (1944-1945)
stat1label=TD-INT
stat1value=5-16
stat2label=Yards
stat2value=966
stat3label=QB Rating
stat3value=37.7
nfl=CAF276861
CollegeHOF=30126

George Cafego (August 29, 1915 – February 9, 1998) was a college, and professional football player and coach. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1969.

High school and collegiate career

Born in rural Whipple, West Virginia, Cafego attended Oak Hill High School in nearby Scarboro. He went to the University of Tennessee as a halfback under coach Robert Neyland. While there, he compiled 2,139 total yards and two All-American team selections. In addition to running and passing the ball, Cafego also served as punter and kick returner, excelling at both.

Professional career

Cafego was drafted as a number one overall pick in 1940 by the Brooklyn Dodgers of the NFL. After playing one season, his career was interrupted by a brief stint of Army service in World War II. Returning to the Dodgers in 1943, he was traded to the Washington Redskins after five unspectacular games. For the 1944 and 1945 seasons, Cafego played for the Boston Yanks before retiring.

Coaching career

After his playing days were over, Cafego served as an assistant coach at Wyoming, Furman, Arkansas, and 30 years at his alma mater, the University of Tennessee. He retired from coaching following the 1984 season.

Cafego died in Knoxville, Tennessee at the age of 82 and was buried in Fayette County, West Virginia.