Fred Negus
Negus from 1944 Michiganensian
Born:(1923-11-07)November 7, 1923
Colerain, Ohio, U.S.
Died:April 18, 2005(2005-04-18) (aged 81)
Career information
Position(s)Center, Linebacker
CollegeMichigan
Wisconsin
High schoolThe Kiski School[1]
NFL draft1945 / Round: 7 / Pick: 59
Drafted byCleveland Rams[2]
Career history
As player
1942, 1946Wisconsin Badgers
1943Michigan Wolverines
1947–49Chicago Rockets/Hornets
1950Chicago Bears

Frederick Wilson Negus (November 7, 1923 – April 18, 2005) was an American football player. He played college football for Wisconsin and Michigan and professional football in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL).

College career

Negus was born in Colerain, Ohio and began his college football career with the University of Wisconsin. As Wisconsin's starting center in 1942, he was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten Conference player by the Associated Press.[3] He was inducted into the U.S. Navy and was assigned to the V-12 Navy College Training Program at the University of Michigan.[3] While at Michigan, Negus played for Fritz Crisler's 1943 Michigan Wolverines football team; Negus was the starting center on a Michigan team that compiled an 8–1 record, outscored opponents 302–73, and won the Big Ten Conference championship (in a tie with Purdue).[4] Michigan's line coach, Biggie Munn, praised Negus's performance for Michigan: "Negus played a remarkably steady game for us this fall. Last year at Wisconsin he injured his shoulder and had to have an operation. Nine out of ten boys would have quit football at that stage, but Negus didn't."[5]

Negus was one two players from the 1943 Michigan team (the other was Bill Daley) selected by the Associated Press as a first-team All-Big Ten player.[3] He achieved the honor first at Wisconsin in 1942 and repeated the honor at Michigan in 1943.[3] Negus was also one of three Michigan players selected for first-team All-Big Ten honors by the United Press (the other two being Daley and Bob Wiese).[6]

Military

After the 1943 season, Negus was placed on active duty and received his commission as a lieutenant. Negus returned to Wisconsin after completing his military service and was captain of Wisconsin's 1946 football team.

Professional career

Negus also played four years of professional football for the Chicago Rockets/Hornets (1947–1949) and Chicago Bears (1950).[7] He was among the AAFC league leaders in non-offensive touchdowns in both 1948 and 1949 and in interceptions in 1949.[7]

References

  1. ^ "Fred Negus Stats". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved 28 April 2021.
  2. ^ "1945 Cleveland Rams". databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2020.((cite web)): CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ a b c d "Coaches Select Western Conference All-Star Football Team: Fred Negus Repeats at Center; Elroy Hirsch Is Named On Second 11". 1943-11-30.
  4. ^ "1943 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
  5. ^ "Coach Boosts Negus For All-Conference". Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. 1943-11-23.
  6. ^ "Fred Negus Named at Center on UP's Coaches All Big 10 Team; Wink, Hirsch on Second". Wisconsin State Journal. 1943-11-26.
  7. ^ a b "Fred Negus profile". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
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