Eddie LeBaron

 

Despite his diminutive stature – 5’7”, 165 pounds – he led College (now University) of Pacific to an undefeated season in 1949 and was named Most Valuable Player in the annual Shrine East-West All Star Game in San Francisco. Drafted in the tenth round by the Washington Redskins because of his small size, he soon dazzled the National Football League with his accurate passing and ball-handling wizardry. He led the league in passing in 1958 and enjoyed eleven productive seasons. In 1980, he was the NFL’s Executive of the Year as general manager of the Atlanta Falcons. Inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2004.