Glenn Presnell—Kentucky Pro Football HOF

LOOKING BACK
By Chris Willis, NFL Films

Glenn Presnell, Portsmouth Spartans, 1931 

Last week the final five members were selected by the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the Class of 2020. Also selected last week were the new members of the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame. NFL players, coaches, executives who either played, coached or were born in the state of Kentucky can be selected. The 19th class inducted includes six individuals, Leeman Bennett, Bob Fry, Elois Grooms, Cletidus Hunt, Eric Wood, and Glenn Presnell.

I was happy to see Glenn Presnell get this deserving honor.

A borderline candidate for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, PFJ ranked Presnell number 10 on the list of Pre-WW II halfbacks this past year. Here is the bio that was written up on him.

      Glenn Presnell (1931-1936) After playing 3 years with the semi-pro Ironton Tanks, the 5-10, 195-pound Presnell played 6 seasons (74 games) with the Portsmouth Spartans-Detroit Lions. Severely underrated, Presnell has two things that has kept him out of the Hall of Fame. His first years were played out of the NFL, although with a good Tanks team that defeated NFL teams during this era, and the fact that he played behind the number one player on our list- the great Dutch Clark. Excellent all-around player, Presnell excelled in many areas; was a productive runner, above-average passer, solid defender, and was one of the best kickers in the NFL during his time…Member of the 1935 Lions team that won NFL Championship—22 career TDs, including 18 rushing; and had 17 passing TDs…to show how great Presnell could be, when Dutch Clark decided not to play in 1933, Presnell became the focus of Potsy Clark’s offense. Had a career year leading the NFL in rushing TDs (6) and scoring with 64 points. He was named First-team All-Pro by the NFL, UP, Brooklyn Eagle, Collyers and the GBPG…in 1934- with Clark back on the team- he finished third in the league in scoring (63 points) and rushing TDs (7). 

     Was part of rushing offense that in 1936 set an NFL record for rushing yards in a season with 2,885 yards (in 12 games), a record that stood until 1972 when the Miami Dolphins broke it (in a 14-game season)…part of a Lions rushing offense that helped lead the NFL in rushing once (1936) and finish 2^nd twice more (1934-35)…Finished career with 1,593 rushing yards (3.9 average) and scored 218 points- including converting 15 FGs and 41 XPs…had his career moment in 1934 when he booted a NFL record-long 54-yard FG to help defeat the Packers, 3-0. That record lasted until 1953 when Colts kicker Bert Rechichar kicked a 56-yard FG…First-team All-Pro in 1932 by GBPG…Second-team in 1931 by NFL; in 1932, 1934 by UP…Third-team in 1935 by GBPG…Honorable Mention by NFL in 1932, 1934-1935…Just like Cuff, should get more Hall of Fame consideration.

“Presnell was a good player. He was hard to bring down when he had the ball. You couldn’t hardly bring him down.” – George Musso, former Bears Hall of Fame lineman.

“Glenn Presnell was a brilliant football player. Outstanding on offense and defense.” – Ralph Kercheval, former Brooklyn Dodgers back.

Glenn Presnell, Detroit Lions

After his playing career was over Presnell went into coaching, first as an assistant with Kansas, Nebraska (one year as head coach in 1942), and then at Eastern Kentucky (1947-1953). It was at Eastern Kentucky is where he made his mark. He was head coach there for ten seasons (1954-1963), compiling a record of 42-49-3, winning two Ohio Valley Conference championships (1954, 1962), and taking the Colonels to the 1955 Tangerine Bowl (losing a close 7-6 game to Omaha). 

Presnell stayed on as Athletic Director from 1963 to 1971 when he retired, eventually moving back to the Buckeye State, living in Ironton, outside of nearby Portsmouth. It was because of his tenure at Eastern Kentucky that got him elected to the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

Glenn Presnell, athletic director, Eastern Kentucky

I was fortunate to interview Presnell twice while he was still living, once in 1999 and again in 2002. His interviews became a short chapter in my book, Old Leather: An Oral History of Pro Football in Ohio, 1920-1935. He was always very accommodating and told some good stories about his playing career in Ironton, Portsmouth, and Detroit. Once he told me about the Spartans traveling by bus to play games on the east coast. 

"We didn’t travel by train much in those days; it was mainly by Greyhound bus. Some of our road trips east would be pretty long and we wouldn’t have a chance to work out, so Potsy (Clark) told us to pack a pair of shoes and a sweatshirt on the bus with us. We’d be going along sometime in the middle of the afternoon and he’d see this open field, so he’d have the driver stop the bus. We’d put on our shoes and sweatshirts and practice in this open field. We’d get back on the bus after the workout smelling like a bunch of goats. Those were great days." 

Only a player from the Great Depression would think smelling like a goat would be great days. 

Glenn Presnell, top photo, at Spartan Stadium, Portsmouth, Ohio. Bottom photo, at Presnell home. 

Presnell also told about the playing equipment for his era and how he would want to be remembered. 

"Our equipment was nothing like today. Ours was made out of leather, which made the equipment much heavier. By the time you got on the heavy shoulder pads, the heavy hip pads, and other pads, you felt like you gained 30 pounds. I was fortunate. I was never really injured like some of the players from my era. I remember our helmets didn’t have any facemasks back in those days and if a guy got hit in the face, he would lose some teeth or maybe got his nose broken. That happened to several of my teammates at different times, but I was lucky. I must have been a good dodger because I was never really hit hard in the face. But I enjoyed it.

    It was a challenge to me to see whether I could make it in pro football or not. I enjoyed my nine seasons of pro ball very much and made a good living while doing it. I’d just like to be remembered as a good football player. That’s all." 

I cherish those two interviews I had with Presnell. Looking back at an era of NFL history that was worth preserving. Presnell passed on September 13, 2004, at the age of 99. Congrats Mr. Presnell on your election to the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame. 

PFJ's 2010s All-Decade Team

By John Turney 

For the 2010s All-Decade, we went with three receivers and added a fifth defensive back who could play slot corner as well as their normal position.

"Sink end" is a defensive end who moved in passing situations much of the time. Watt and Campbell were the best at that spot (power end if you will). Cameron Jordan nosed Chander Jones who played some rush backer, too. Michael Bennett is a strong honorable mention as a sink end. Cameron Wake's 95 sacks in the decade deserve a mention as well, though we don't think he was effective making plays against the run when run plays "showed". Fletcher Cox is also an honorable mention.

We didn't ignore nose tackles as the Hall of Fame will, we picked Snacks Harrison. Also, we picked a Will 'backer, Lavonte David. The Hall of Fame will pick two middle linebackers we are sure. It's too bad, David is one of the top three linebackers of the 2010s we believe.

Stephon Gilmore's surge in 2018 and 2019 secured him the Second-team corner slot.

Player of the Decade— Tom Brady

Defensive Player of the Decade—JJ Watt

Runners up—Aaron Rodgers and Aaron Donald

Willie Wood—Rest In Peace

By John Turney

When we made our top safeties list we had Willie Wood about 10th to 12th or so. Coach TJ Troup kind said, "You may want to look at that again, he's a top 10 guy". We did and Coach was right. Wood ended up seventh on our list.

Today we bid him adieu. He passed away yesterday at age 83.

Wood was a  seven-time All-Pro (four consensus) and a nine-time Pro Bowl/All-NFC level player he received post-season honors of one kind or another for ten straight seasons. He was All-Decade for the 1960s and is a Hall of Famer. He led the NFL in picks in 1962 and wears five NFL Championship Rings. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1989 and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1977.

Wood intercepted 48 passes, returning two for scores and recovered 6 fumbles. Additionally, for the first five years of his career, he was a dynamite punt returner and was also a kickoff specialist at times, too.

He was a big-time hitter and tackler and had good (not great) speed, desire and tenacity and great ability to leap. He learned his trade from Emlen Tunnell who was with the Packers when Wood entered the NFL.

He was on the small side when he came into the NFL, but he had the proverbial 'big heart'. He was converted from quarterback to safety when he entered the NFL. Wood became the first African-American quarterback in the Pac-12 (then known as the Pacific Coast Conference), in 1957. He was a three-year (1957-59) letterman quarterback and defensive back with USC and was the team captain as a senior on the 8-2 Trojans. Prior to going to USC Wood played Coalinga (Calif.) Junior College, where he was a JC All-American.

Time has sort of forgotten Wood, which is too bad. You don't see younger fans know how great he was. But his opponents did. Raymond Berry said, "Willie gave the Packers the ability to call one defense and get many interpretations of it. He smells a play, and takes off on his own, to break up a play he should have never even been near."

After his playing days, he coached with the Chargers and then was hired by WFL's Philadelphia Bell making Wood the first African-American head coach in pro sports. Later, he was hired by Toronto Argonauts thus becoming the first black head coach in the CFL.

We first met Wood when we interviewed him for "Blood Equity" a documentary film produced by Roman Phifer, Rico McClinton, Louisa Spring, Joe Ruggiero. Wood at that time (2009) was already in assisted living in Washington D.C.

In some ways, he's the epitome of the NFL experience. Moved from quarterback because of bigotry, moved to safety, but was undersized. He became a coach, again facing discrimination but at least got some shots in WFL and CFL, but never one at the NFL level. Then in later years suffering from what was more than likely health issues related, if not caused by his play on the field.

Safety Dance—Since 2017 Nine Safeties Have Been Inducted Into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

LOOKING BACK
By John Turney

Men Without Hats

From the initial class of 1963 though 2016 there were only eight safeties voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (53 classes). Since 2017 nine have been voted in (four classes plus the 2020 Centennial Class).

The Hall of Fame Selection Committee and the 2020 Centennial Class Blue Ribbon Committee do deserve congratulations for upping the numbers of safeties in the Hall of Fame. It was an issue some of them wrote about and over the past four years and they have addressed it.

Yes, having Brian Dawkins, Ed Reed, and Troy Polamalu becoming eligible was a big boost. Those three combined for 15 All-Pro seasons, 26 Pro Bowls, two Defensive Player of the Year Awards and three rings. Nonetheless, the others were overlooked types like Donnie Shell and Cliff Harris.

So fair is fair, while hundreds of fans of players thought to be snubbed are "m-fing" the selection committees we think they deserve some praise for their good work addressing this discrepancy.

Here is a list of all the modern safeties in the Hall of Fame sorted by First-team All-Pro selections.
(click to enlarge)

Super Bowl LIV Predictions

By John Turney

Super Bowl predictions are just impossible, no one knows what will happen but we all make them regardless of that fact.

So, here we go, going for the impossible—
Score—49ers 32   Chiefs 26
First-downs—49ers 24   Chiefs 22
Total Net Yards—49ers 366   Chiefs 398
Rushing Net—49ers 167  Chiefs 87
Sacks—Bosa 1.5, Clark 1, Jones 1, Armstead 1, Buckner .5

If we get within 10 either way on the yardages, we will call that a 'win'.

Michael Thomas the AP Offensive Player of theYear—A Rare Feat for a Wide Receiver

By John Turney

Since the AP began choosing an Offensive Player of the Year in 1972 only one wide receiver (Jerry Rice) had ever won it. That changed tonight as Michael Thomas edged Lamar Jackson in the voting 19-17.

Here are the vote listings for wide receivers since 1972. As can be seen, it's tough for even the best receivers to garner support. That is why we often use it as a "separator" when ranking wide receivers. If one can do well in this award's voting then it can put one receiver ahead of the rest of the pack.

The votes—

Real-Time Fact-Checking on HOF Predictions

By John Turney

On January 30, 2020, we posted predictions for this year's class for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

This morning we repeated our percentages and broke the ties.

So, the predictions were
1-Polamalu
2-Hutchinson
3-Boselli
4-Atwater
5-Edge

So, it now has been leaked/confirmed/announced on Twitter that the 2020 Hall of Fame Class is composed of
Troy Polamalu
Steve Atwater
Edgerrin James
Isaac Bruce
Steve Hutchinson

So we got our of five. Certainly, we've done worse, but we've done better, too. However, we'll take four out of five (80%) anyway in almost anything.

Now we look forward to who got cut in the first round and then who made the top 10 (sets table for Class of 2021).