Lee Tevis

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Lee Tevis
No. 92
Position:Halfback, fullback, linebacker
Personal information
Born:(1920-12-29)December 29, 1920
Beaumont, Texas
Died:August 23, 1992(1992-08-23) (aged 71)
Houston
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:Beaumont (TX)
College:Washington University, Miami (OH), Michigan
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games:22
Player stats at PFR

Lee Kessler Tevis (December 29, 1920 – August 23, 1992) was an American football player who played at the halfback, fullback, and linebacker positions. He played college football for Washington University and Miami (OH) and professional football for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 and 1948.

Early years[edit]

Tevis was born in 1920 in Beaumont, Texas. He attended Beaumont High School.[1] He was a triple-threat back and star for the Beaumont High School football team.

College football and military service[edit]

Tevis played at halfback for Washington University in 1942.[2] He developed a reputation at Washington University as "a powerful, steamrolling runner."[3]

He entered the United States Marine Corps and was transferred to Miami University in Ohio as part of the V-12 Navy College Training Program. While participating in the V-12 program, he played at the fullback position for the 1943 Miami Redskins football team.[4] He also handled punting for Miami and was rated one of Miami's greatest punters in years.[5]

He subsequently was called to active duty and served in China.[6]

Tevis enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1946 and was on the roster of the 1946 Michigan Wolverines football team as a fullback.[7] However, he was unable to play due to illness.[8]

Professional football[edit]

In April 1947, Tevis signed to play professional football in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) with the Brooklyn Dodgers.[9] He played for the Dodgers during their 1947 and 1948 seasons, appearing in a total of 22 games.[1][10] He was elevated as the Dodgers' No. right halfback in August 1948.[11] He also handled punting and extra points for the Dodgers.[3]

Later years[edit]

After his football career ended, he worked as a salesman for Big Four Chevrolet in St. Louis. He later managed a truck dealership in San Diego. After retirement, he moved to Houston. In August 1992, Tevis died following a heart attack at his home in Houston at age 71.[3]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Lee Tevis". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  2. ^ "Tevis Out To Add to Records". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. October 8, 1942. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b c "Lee Tevis; College Football Star Had Professional Gridiron Career". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. August 25, 1992. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Tevis, Wismann and Fuchs Starring for Ohio Eleven". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. October 25, 1943. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Pvt. Tevis One Of Miami's Greatest Punters In Years". Dayton Daily News. September 29, 1943. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Lee Tevis, Former Washington U. Back, To Go to Michigan". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. March 3, 1946. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "1946 Roster". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  8. ^ "Wismann Gets More'n a Double O And He'll Captain Billikens". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. October 25, 1946. p. 38 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Brooklyn Dodgers Sign Lee Trevis". Longview News-Journal. April 17, 1947. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Lee Tevis Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  11. ^ "Voyles Names Tevis In Dodger Backfield". Pensacola News Journal. August 25, 1948. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.