Russ Reader

Russell "Big Daddy" Reader Jr. (June 26, 1923 – August 12, 1995) was an American football player. Reader was born in Ypsilanti, Michigan and graduated from Dearborn High School in Dearborn, Michigan. After graduating from Dearborn High School, Reader enrolled at the University of Michigan where he was a member of Fritz Crisler's 1941 Michigan Wolverines football team.[1] After World War II, Reader enrolled at Michigan State University and played at the halfback position for the Spartans football team in 1946 and 1947. Reader was considered a triple-threat player, as he handled rushing, passing and kicking duties for the Spartans. In November 1945, he led the Spartans to a 33–0 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions, as he threw two touchdown passes and also caught a touchdown pass.[2] He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the 21st round (195th overall pick) in the 1947 NFL Draft.[3] Simkus played in two games for the Bears in the 1947 NFL season,[3] and began the 1948 season with the Bears as an understudy for Sid Luckman at the quarterback position. He was also a renowned swimmer and diver.[4] He started the 1949 season with the Toronto Argonauts in the Canadian Football League and finished the season playing for the Windsor Bulldogs in the Canadian American Football League.[5][6] Reader died in 1995 at age 72 while living in Milford, Michigan.[7]

Russ Reader
Born:(1923-06-26)June 26, 1923
Ypsilanti, Michigan
Died:August 12, 1995(1995-08-12) (aged 72)
Milford, Michigan
Career information
Position(s)Defensive back, Halfback, Quarterback
Height6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
Weight185 lb (84 kg)
CollegeMichigan, Michigan State
NFL draft1947 / Round: 21 / Pick: 195
Drafted byChicago Bears
Career history
As player
1941Michigan
1945–1946Michigan State
1947Chicago Bears
1949Toronto Argonauts

References
  1. "1941 Roster". University of Michigan. Archived from the original on 2010-09-01.
  2. "Spartans Trim Lions, 33 to 0". The Milwaukee Journal. 1945-11-18.
  3. "Russ Reader profile". pro-football-reference.com.
  4. "BOB ZUPPKE SAYS '48 BEARS LOOK BETTER THAN 1947 ELEVEN". Chicago Daily Tribune. 1948-08-06.
  5. "Krol, Reader May Not Play Saturday". Ottawa Citizen. 1949-09-14.
  6. "Reader To Play For Windsor Team". Ottawa Citizen. 1949-10-03.
  7. "Social Security Death Index". Roots Web.
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