Ward Lloyd Cuff (August 12, 1913 – December 24, 2002) was an American professional football player who was a halfback and placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants, Chicago Cardinals, and Green Bay Packers. He played college football at Marquette University and was drafted in the fourth round of the 1937 NFL draft.[1]

Ward Cuff
No. 14
Position:Halfback, Placekicker
Personal information
Born:(1913-08-12)August 12, 1913
Redwood Falls, Minnesota, U.S.
Died:December 24, 2002(2002-12-24) (aged 89)
Vallejo, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:192 lb (87 kg)
Career information
High school:Redwood Falls
College:Marquette
NFL draft:1937 / round: 4 / pick: 34
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:1,851
Rushing touchdowns:7
Receiving yards:1,559
Receiving touchdowns:13
Interceptions:13
Field goals:43/98 (43.9%)
Stats at Pro Football Reference

As a fullback at Marquette, Cuff played in the first Cotton Bowl game, in 1937, losing to TCU. He was also Marquette's heavyweight boxing champion and held the school record in the javelin throw. Cuff played for the Giants from 1937 to 1945, won the NFL championship in 1938, and became the team's career scoring leader with 319 points before being traded to the Cardinals. He played one season with the Cardinals and one with the Packers. He led the NFL in field goals made four times. After his NFL career, Cuff coached high school football in Green Bay, was an assistant coach for the Oregon State Beavers football team, and later worked for The Boeing Company.[2]

His number 14 was retired by the Giants, although owner Wellington Mara gave Y. A. Tittle permission to wear it during his time with the Giants from 1961 to 1964. It was retired again in honor of both players.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "1937 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  2. ^ Goldstein, Richard (January 13, 2003). "Ward Cuff, 90, Ex-Giants Back Who Was an All-Pro in the 40s". The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  3. ^ "New York Giants Retired Jersey Numbers". Big Blue Interactive. Retrieved August 25, 2016.
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