Forrest Gump made First Team(?) All-American as a kick returner...did that position even exist then?

Estil

What I mean by that of course, is as a for real dedicated position, not someone who actually plays another position first and just returns kicks "on the side". I'm presuming Forrest made First Team All-American as I can't imagine including the second and third team's autographs could fit on that football. And does the President still get an autographed football in addition to hosting them?

perkdog

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NCAA_major_college_football_yearly_punt_and_kickoff_return_leaders

College league leaders go back to 1939

Forrest played at Alabama in the early to mid 50's,

So yes it did exist

Basebal21

Still seems like a waste that they didnt use him on offense as well. Just tell him to go deep or hand him the ball and say run

perkdog

@Basebal21 said:
Still seems like a waste that they didnt use him on offense as well. Just tell him to go deep or hand him the ball and say run

Agreed!

Could totally see him being utilized with a toss sweep or a fly route

GroceryRackPack

georgebailey2

The "All-American" collegiate football team includes an "all-purpose/return specialist" slot. The selections are made after that year's regular schedule.

From what I can tell, Gump would have been the 1962 team, visiting in 1963. Information I have seen from the movie indicates the 1963 team, but Kennedy's death was prior to the end of the season. IIRC, I remember there had been pre-season selections by Playboy starting in the early 60s, so it could have been that.

perkdog

@georgebailey2 said:
The "All-American" collegiate football team includes an "all-purpose/return specialist" slot. The selections are made after that year's regular schedule.

From what I can tell, Gump would have been the 1962 team, visiting in 1963. Information I have seen from the movie indicates the 1963 team, but Kennedy's death was prior to the end of the season. IIRC, I remember there had been pre-season selections by Playboy starting in the early 60s, so it could have been that.

That's actually making sense but for some reason I was thinking mid 50's for him at Alabama

Now that I think of it. It was 1963 because that is when the national guard posted up at Alabama to escort the Black kids into the school, Gump was on TV handing the girl her book after she dropped it.

Estil

@perkdog said:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NCAA_major_college_football_yearly_punt_and_kickoff_return_leaders

College league leaders go back to 1939

Forrest played at Alabama in the early to mid 50's,

So yes it did exist

Actually it had to be early 60s for him to meet Kennedy as an All-American

Estil

@perkdog said:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_NCAA_major_college_football_yearly_punt_and_kickoff_return_leaders

College league leaders go back to 1939

Forrest played at Alabama in the early to mid 50's,

So yes it did exist

No these are guys who played one of the "real" positions primarily and only did kick/punt returns "on the side". Obviously Forrest was a dedicated kick returner...my question was that back then they usually didn't use up a roster position for just a kick returner or just a punt returner. I'm guessing having someone who just does field goals or just does punting was still a new idea at the time.

burghman

Here’s a list - I don’t see returners in the early 60s

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:College_Football_All-America_Teams

perkdog

Interesting topic @Estil

Estil

Until 1964 they didn't even have defense guys!! I guess defense too was just an "on the side" thing before?

Estil

@Basebal21 said:
Still seems like a waste that they didnt use him on offense as well. Just tell him to go deep or hand him the ball and say run

Running back (or I guess halfback in those days; I don't think we had running backs and wide receivers (by those names) until the 70s?) and kick returner are two completely different positions! Obviously Forrest spent all his life doing his running in open rural areas so he needed the much open space as a kick returner as opposed to be right in front of all those defense guys in a much smaller area. Why do you think they call the small area the QB can throw "the pocket"?