Bobby Reynolds
Reynolds from 1951 Cornhusker
Born:June 27, 1931
Grand Island, Nebraska, U.S.
Died:August 19, 1985(1985-08-19) (aged 54)
Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)Halfback
CollegeUniversity of Nebraska
NFL draft1953 / Round: 7 / Pick: 84
Drafted byLos Angeles Rams

Bobby Reynolds (June 27, 1931 – August 19, 1985) was an American football player known among University of Nebraska Cornhuskers fans as "Mr. Touchdown".[1][2] He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

Playing career

Reynolds attended Grand Island High where he played both basketball and football, winning state team titles in 1947 and 1948 in both sports.[3][4] He attended the University of Nebraska–Lincoln where he became a First-Team All-American in 1950. A shoulder separation, broken leg, and lime-in-the-eye infection slowed him down the following two seasons. However, Reynolds still set then career records for scoring and rushing.[3]

To promote the 1950 song "Mr. Touchdown, U.S.A.", RCA offered a prize of a television set and a silver-plated album to the college football player who scored the most touchdowns during the 1950 football season.[5] Reynolds ultimately claimed the prize, which was presented to him by Hugo Winterhalter in February 1951.[6] Reynolds, who was well known among Nebraska fans for his 1950 season, was thereafter described as "Mr. Touchdown".[7][8]

Later life and death

Reynolds was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984.[9]

In August 1985, Reynolds suffered a cerebral hemorrhage, dying two days later.[10][11]

See also

References

  1. ^ Chrisopherson, Brian (March 1, 2016). "81 yards: Nebraska's All-American boy". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  2. ^ Sittler, Dave (October 31, 1975). "Mr. Touchdown's Anniversary". Lincoln Evening Journal. Retrieved December 30, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b "Bobby Reynolds". Nebraska Athletics. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  4. ^ "Boys Basketball State Tournament History". Nebraska School Activities Association. June 13, 2008. Retrieved December 15, 2008.
  5. ^ "Record Makers to Honor TD Terror". Indianapolis News. October 26, 1950. Retrieved December 30, 2020 – via newspapers.com.open access
  6. ^ "Mr. Touchdown, U.S.A." The Frederick Press. February 15, 1951. Retrieved December 30, 2020 – via newspapers.com.open access
  7. ^ Chrisopherson, Brian (March 1, 2016). "81 yards: Nebraska's All-American boy". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved December 30, 2020.
  8. ^ Sittler, Dave (October 31, 1975). "Mr. Touchdown's Anniversary". Lincoln Journal-Star. Retrieved December 30, 2020.open access
  9. ^ Parker, Virgil (November 30, 1984). "College Hall of Fame to induct Reynolds". The Lincoln Journal. p. 38. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  10. ^ Parker, Virgil (August 20, 1985). "Reynolds kept competitive spirit all his life". The Lincoln Star. p. 13. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
  11. ^ Parker, Virgil (August 20, 1985). "Reynolds dies at 54". The Lincoln Star. p. 13. Retrieved February 9, 2021.


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