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15 best Michigan football NFL careers ever

By Chris Peterson

Nov 21, 1998; Columbus, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tom Brady (10) in action against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio St. defeated Michigan 31-16. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 1998; Columbus, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Michigan Wolverines quarterback Tom Brady (10) in action against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium. Ohio St. defeated Michigan 31-16. Mandatory Credit: Photo By USA TODAY Sports /
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Hall of Fame wide receiver Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch of the Los Angeles Rams makes runs upfield in a 1950 game played at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vic Stein/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Hall of Fame wide receiver Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch of the Los Angeles Rams makes runs upfield in a 1950 game played at Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vic Stein/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

9. Elroy ‘Crazy Legs’ Hirsch, wide receiver

One of the most famous players in the early days of the NFL has ties to Michigan football as Elroy ‘Crazy Legs’ Hirsch had a spectacular season as a Michigan football player in 1943. Prior to that, he played for Wisconsin.

Hirsch was a game-changer during his time and that’s how he earned the nickname “Crazy Legs.” After getting drafted by the Cleveland Rams, he finally ended up in the NFL after three seasons in the All-American Football Conference.

Professional football was different back then and Hirsch, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was part of one of the greatest pass offenses in NFL history with Norm Van Brocklin.

Hirsch set an NFL record in 1951 with 1,495 receiving yards (in a 12-game season) and also tied an NFL record with 17 touchdown receptions that season which stood for decades after.

Even though he didn’t play in the modern era of the forward pass, Hirsch had over 7,000 yards receiving and had at least four seasons ranking in the top 10 in yards, receptions, and receiving yards. He also led the NFL in total points in 1951.

Hirsch was a revolutionary and it’s wild to think about what his numbers might look like if he played during this era of the pass-happy NFL.

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