Tiny Croft

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Tiny Croft
Position:Offensive tackle
Personal information
Born:(1920-11-07)November 7, 1920
Chicago, Illinois
Died:January 22, 1977(1977-01-22) (aged 56)
Woodruff, Wisconsin
Career information
College:Ripon
NFL Draft:1942 / Round: 20 / Pick: 186
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games played:51
Games started:11
Fumble recoveries:4
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Milburn Russell "Tiny" Croft (November 7, 1920 – January 22, 1977) was an American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Green Bay Packers 1942-1947. He played college football at Ripon College. Croft was drafted in the 20th round of the 1942 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.

Football Career[]

Croft graduated from Steinmentz High School in Chicago, Illinois.[1] He was selected to an all-star team of high school players from Chicago to travel to Arizona for a game against an all-star team of Phoenix area players.[2] Croft then attended Ripon College. Despite his size, Croft was known as gentle on the football field. The Ripon coaches set up a boxing match with a semi-professional boxer who promptly punched Croft in the nose which angered him. This experience was seen as a turning point in his athletic career.[3] Croft went on to be a three year starter as a linemen for the Red Hawks earning first team All-Midwest Conference three consecutive years.[4] He was also the team placekicker.[5]

After finishing his college career, Croft was drafted in the 20th round of the 1942 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.[6][7] Croft was acquired by the Green Bay Packers during his first training camp.[8] Croft would go on to play for the Packers for six seasons.

Personal life[]

His freshman year, Croft wrote to actress Ann Sheridan to invite her to the college's prom. Sheridan wrote him back declining his invitation but sent a signed picture.[9] He married Myra Ann Wasserburger in 1944.[10] He was a charter member of the Green Bay Packer Alumni Club. He worked in the automobile business for 30 years and retired as a District Manager for American Motors.[11] Croft died for a heart attack in 1977 at age 56.[12]

References[]

  1. ^ "Obituary for Milburn Milburn Croft". Green Bay Press-Gazette. January 24, 1977. p. 25. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  2. ^ "State Prep Gridders Arrive for Drills". Arizona Republic. December 27, 1937. p. 10. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  3. ^ "Punch in Nose Awakens Gridder Tiny Croft". Wausau Daily Herald. October 12, 1939. p. 18. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  4. ^ "Milburn Croft first all-midwest conference 3rd time in a row". The Gazette. November 30, 1941. p. 13. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  5. ^ "Coe-Ripon (Tiny Croft)". The Gazette. September 28, 1941. p. 12. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  6. ^ "Tiny Croft 'Light'". Green Bay Press-Gazette. July 15, 1942. p. 13. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  7. ^ "Tiny Croft Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  8. ^ "Lambeau Makes Shifts in Lineup; Packers Get Croft from Redskins". Kenosha News. September 10, 1942. p. 8. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  9. ^ "Tiny Croft Gets Ann Sheridan's Picture". The Morning Call. February 8, 1939. p. 20. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  10. ^ "Wassserburger-Croft Wedding". Ironwood Daily Globe. January 7, 1944. p. 3. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  11. ^ "Obituary for Milburn Milburn Croft". Green Bay Press-Gazette. January 24, 1977. p. 25. Retrieved January 14, 2022.
  12. ^ "Obituary for Milburn Croft (Aged 56)". Chippewa Herald-Telegram. January 26, 1977. p. 13. Retrieved January 14, 2022.

External links[]


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