Bob Suffridge

NFL player


DateOfBirth=March 17, 1916
Birthplace= Fountain City, TN
DateOfDeath=February 3, 1974
College=Tennessee
Position=Guard
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years=1941,1945
teams=Philadelphia Eagles
DatabaseFootball=SUFFRBOB01
CollegeHOF=30132

Robert Lee "Bob" Suffridge (March 17, 1916 - February 3, 1974) was a Hall of Fame college football player for the Tennessee Volunteers football team. He also played in the NFL and served in the United States Navy.

College career

Suffridge came to Tennessee from Central High School in Knoxville, Tennessee. He played under legendary coach Robert Neyland from 1938–1940, making a name for himself at the position of guard. Suffridge was a three time All American, receiving the honor each year of his playing career.

Suffridge was noted for his quickness. As one bio states "Suffridge was so quick he once blocked the same point-after- touchdown three times, twice called for off-sides when many observers felt he wasn't. " [http://www.collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=30132] During his time at Tennessee, the Vols did not lose a regular season game. [http://www.collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=30132]

Robert Neyland never wanted to answer when asked, "Who were your greatest players?" But, when pressed, he would reluctantly answer, "I’ll start a team, but will not attempt to complete it. You’ll have to start with Bob Suffridge the greatest lineman I ever saw and that’s as far as I will go with the line. For a backfield, you’ll start with Gene McEver, the greatest I ever coached."

[http://www.fountaincitytnhistory.info/People33-SuffridgeBob.htm]

Suffridge was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1961. He was also honored as a member of the all-time Southeastern Conference team in 1982. and was chosen by the Football Writers Association for the all-time All America team. [http://www.collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=30132]

Pro career

Suffridge played for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1941 and 1945. His career was shortened due to World War II. During the war, Suffridge was a lieutenant commander in the United States Navy. [http://www.collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=30132]

Suffridge made the All National Football League team in 1941. Again Suffridge's speed was noticed. On on occasion Suffridge blocked three consecutive punts but was penalized for being offsides each time.

"That last offside will cost you $50", Coach Greasy Neale told him. "But I wasn’t offside", Suffridge protested. "That’ll cost you $50 more." "I said I wasn’t offside." "Make it one hundred." "I’m telling you, I wasn’t offside." "It’s now $200." Unwilling to argue the point past $200, Suff sat down. Neale finally told him he would look at the movies. "If you were offside, the $200 fine sticks. If you weren’t, I’ll give you a hundred." The movie showed beyond question that Suffridge had not been offside. "I got the hundred", he said, "the easiest hundred I ever made."

[http://www.fountaincitytnhistory.info/People33-SuffridgeBob.htm]

Coaching career

Suffridge coached at North Carolina State from 1946 to 1951. He was a line coach for the Wolfpack. [http://www.collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=30132]

Sources

* 2006 Tennessee Volunteers Football Media Guide
* [http://www.fountaincitytnhistory.info/People33-SuffridgeBob.htm Fountain City bio]
* [http://www.collegefootball.org/famersearch.php?id=30132 College Football Hall of Fame bio]