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HOERNER, Lester J. "Dick": Difference between revisions
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[[File:dhoerner.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Lester J. "Dick" Hoerner]]HOERNER, Lester J. "Dick" (Dubuque, IA, July 22, 1922--Fullerton, CA, Dec. 11, 2010). Hoerner's athletic career saw him named All State, All American (1946) and All Pro. Hoerner's illustrious career began as a fullback at [[DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL]]. He was named to the all-state team in 1940 | [[File:dhoerner.jpg|left|thumb|250px|Lester J. "Dick" Hoerner]]HOERNER, Lester J. "Dick" (Dubuque, IA, July 22, 1922--Fullerton, CA, Dec. 11, 2010). Hoerner's athletic career saw him named All State, All American (1946) and All Pro. Hoerner's illustrious career began as a fullback at [[DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL]]. He won nine letters competing in football, basketball and track. He was named to the all-state team in 1939 and 1940.In the state track meet of 1941, he received a first, two seconds, and a third competing in the shot put, javelin, discus and hurdles. (1) | ||
Hoerner played with the Hawkeyes for one season before entering military service where he played for the 71st Division Red Circlers. On Thanksgiving Day 1945, the team won the European championship. Hoerner returned to play football with Iowa in 1946 and was named to the All-American Team. He rejected another year of eligibility to accept an offer to go professional. (2) | Hoerner played with the Hawkeyes for one season before entering military service where he played for the 71st Division Red Circlers. On Thanksgiving Day 1945, the team won the European championship. Hoerner returned to play football with Iowa in 1946 and was named to the All-American Team. He rejected another year of eligibility to accept an offer to go professional. (2) | ||
Hoerner's quality as a player led to him being drafted number one by the Los Angeles Rams. A 230-pound fullback, Hoerner with the teams's "Bull Elephant Backfield played an important role in Los Angeles' capturing of the 1951 NFL Title, in a rematch against the Browns (defeating Cleveland 24 to 17), with Hoerner scoring the first touchdown of the contest. (3) He was selected to play in the inaugural 1951 Pro Bowl. (4) He made the All-Pro team three times before moving to Dallas Texans for the 1952 season. He retired after signing a two year contract with Detroit. (3) | Hoerner's quality as a player led to him being drafted number one by the Los Angeles Rams. A 230-pound fullback, Hoerner with the teams's "Bull Elephant Backfield played an important role in Los Angeles' capturing of the 1951 NFL Title, in a rematch against the Browns (defeating Cleveland 24 to 17), with Hoerner scoring the first touchdown of the contest. (3) He was selected to play in the inaugural 1951 Pro Bowl. (4) He made the All-Pro team three times before moving to Dallas Texans for the 1952 season. He retired after signing a two year contract with Detroit. (3) | ||
At the end of the 1952 season, Hoerner sold advertising for radio station KLIF in Dallas, Texas. He then moved to California working for American Aviation, an aircraft company. He then worked for Standard Coil as the head of the allocation department. In 1954 he began managing a restaurant in Whittier, California. | |||
In Lakeland, California, Hoerner established a youth football program that eventually spread through much of the state. (5) He was a member of the inaugural Senior Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992. He was a cousin of [[HOERNER, Joseph|Joseph HOERNER]] and [[REILLY, C. Michael "Mike"|C. Michael "Mike" REILLY]]. (Photo Courtesy: Dubuque Senior High School Sports Hall of Fame) | In Lakeland, California, Hoerner established a youth football program that eventually spread through much of the state. (5) He was a member of the inaugural Senior Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992. He was a cousin of [[HOERNER, Joseph|Joseph HOERNER]] and [[REILLY, C. Michael "Mike"|C. Michael "Mike" REILLY]]. (Photo Courtesy: Dubuque Senior High School Sports Hall of Fame) | ||
In an obituary in the ''Telegraph Herald'', Hoerner was described as a short-yardage specialist who excelled in goal-line situations. The 6-foot-4, 220 pound Hoerner ran for 2,172 yards and 30 touchdowns in his pro career, including a ten-touchdown campaign in 1950. He had 80 career receptions for 1,188 yards and four scores. (4) | |||
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1. | 1. Kalvelage, Clark. "Hoerner Now in Business," ''Telegraph Herald'', April 1, 1955, p. 25 | ||
2. | 2. Tigges, John. '''They Came From Dubuque,''' Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1983, p. 7 | ||
3. "Dick Hoerner," Find a Grave, Online: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=62932797 | 3. "Dick Hoerner," Find a Grave, Online: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=62932797 | ||
Revision as of 01:46, 4 April 2015
HOERNER, Lester J. "Dick" (Dubuque, IA, July 22, 1922--Fullerton, CA, Dec. 11, 2010). Hoerner's athletic career saw him named All State, All American (1946) and All Pro. Hoerner's illustrious career began as a fullback at DUBUQUE SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL. He won nine letters competing in football, basketball and track. He was named to the all-state team in 1939 and 1940.In the state track meet of 1941, he received a first, two seconds, and a third competing in the shot put, javelin, discus and hurdles. (1)
Hoerner played with the Hawkeyes for one season before entering military service where he played for the 71st Division Red Circlers. On Thanksgiving Day 1945, the team won the European championship. Hoerner returned to play football with Iowa in 1946 and was named to the All-American Team. He rejected another year of eligibility to accept an offer to go professional. (2)
Hoerner's quality as a player led to him being drafted number one by the Los Angeles Rams. A 230-pound fullback, Hoerner with the teams's "Bull Elephant Backfield played an important role in Los Angeles' capturing of the 1951 NFL Title, in a rematch against the Browns (defeating Cleveland 24 to 17), with Hoerner scoring the first touchdown of the contest. (3) He was selected to play in the inaugural 1951 Pro Bowl. (4) He made the All-Pro team three times before moving to Dallas Texans for the 1952 season. He retired after signing a two year contract with Detroit. (3)
At the end of the 1952 season, Hoerner sold advertising for radio station KLIF in Dallas, Texas. He then moved to California working for American Aviation, an aircraft company. He then worked for Standard Coil as the head of the allocation department. In 1954 he began managing a restaurant in Whittier, California.
In Lakeland, California, Hoerner established a youth football program that eventually spread through much of the state. (5) He was a member of the inaugural Senior Athletics Hall of Fame in 1992. He was a cousin of Joseph HOERNER and C. Michael "Mike" REILLY. (Photo Courtesy: Dubuque Senior High School Sports Hall of Fame)
In an obituary in the Telegraph Herald, Hoerner was described as a short-yardage specialist who excelled in goal-line situations. The 6-foot-4, 220 pound Hoerner ran for 2,172 yards and 30 touchdowns in his pro career, including a ten-touchdown campaign in 1950. He had 80 career receptions for 1,188 yards and four scores. (4)
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Source:
1. Kalvelage, Clark. "Hoerner Now in Business," Telegraph Herald, April 1, 1955, p. 25
2. Tigges, John. They Came From Dubuque, Dubuque, Iowa: Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1983, p. 7
3. "Dick Hoerner," Find a Grave, Online: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=62932797
4. "Dick Hoerner." Debate.org. Online: was selected to play in the inaugural 1951 Pro Bowl.
5. "Dick Hoerner." Find a Grave.
6. Ibid.
Telegraph Herald, Dec. 14, 2010, p. 1B