- Billy Ryan (football)
William Richard Ryan Jr. (
April 21 ,1887 —December 20 ,1951 ) was anAmerican football player fromCleveland, Ohio , and a startingquarterback for the University of Notre Dame.Ryan began his career as the starting
quarterback ,placekicker andpunt returner for the Notre Dame football squad in 1907, leading the team to an undefeated season of 6-0-1 in his freshman year.Following his initial season, Ryan moved to right halfback where he had his best season as a junior in 1909, rushing for over 90 yards in a win over Michigan State, and scoring the winning
touchdown in the team's first-ever victory over Michigan. A knee injury would sideline him for most of his senior season.In addition to Ryan's skills on the
gridiron , he was apitcher for thebaseball team, a basso in the campusGlee Club , and a leadactor in the university'stheater productions.Following graduation, he returned to his hometown of
Cleveland, Ohio , where he married Louise Brotherton and worked inreal estate .References
* Steele, Michael R. "The Fighting Irish Football Encyclopedia." Champaign, IL: Sports Publishing LLC (1996).
* Grant, Chet. "Before Rockne at Notre Dame." South Bend, IN: Icarus Press (1978).
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