Otto Schnellbacher

Otto Ole Schnellbacher (April 15, 1923 – March 10, 2008) was an American football safety and end in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants. He was a twice Pro Bowler. Also a professional basketball player, Schnellbacher played for the Basketball Association of America's Providence Steamrollers and St. Louis Bombers in 1948–49.

Otto Schnellbacher

Schnellbacher on a 1951 Bowman football card
No. 56, 83
Position:	Safety, End
Personal information
Born:	(1923-04-15)April 15, 1923 Sublette, Kansas, U.S.
Died:	March 10, 2008(2008-03-10) (aged 84) Topeka, Kansas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:	188 lb (85 kg)
Career information
College:	Kansas
NFL Draft:	1947 / Round: 25 / Pick: 231
Career history
New York Yankees (1948–1949) New York Giants (1950–1951)
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-Pro (1951) 2× Pro Bowl (1950, 1951) AAFC interceptions leader (1948)
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions: 34 Interception yards: 558 Defensive touchdowns: 3 Fumble recoveries: 5 Receptions: 6 Receiving yards: 83
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

In college, Schnellbacher was a two-sport star at the University of Kansas, earning him the nickname "the double threat from Sublette". On the gridiron, Schnellbacher, along with teammate Ray Evans, was KU's first football All-American in 1947. That same season, Schnellbacher led the Jayhawks to a Big 6 conference title and an Orange Bowl berth. Schnellbacher also excelled in basketball, where he was a four-time first-team all-conference selection (one of only three Jayhawks to do so). He was a member of the 1943 Big Six conference championship team (which also featured All-American teammates Charles B. Black and the aforementioned Ray Evans) that is regarded as one of the program's greatest teams.

Schnellbacher died at the age of 84 from cancer.[1]