Legendary Army back Felix 'Doc' Blanchard succumbed to pneumonia early Sunday. Blanchard won the 1945 Heisman Trophy. He was forever linked with teammate and 1946 Heisman Trophy winner Glenn 'Mr. Outside' Davis as part of one of the greatest backfields in college football history.He was the trophy's first junior winner in helping West Point to consecutive championships in 1944 and 1945 near the end of World War II. In total, Blanchard netted 1,908 yards and 38 touchdowns in his three-year Army career (he played freshman football at North Carolina). Army would go 27-0-1 in that span.
Blanchard spent his entire career with the Army Air Force ascending to the rank of colonel, according to the Heisman Web site. Blanchard became a jet pilot, serving in Vietnam and later earning bravery honors for safely landing a plane that had caught flames.
Great stuff, but he'll forever be remembered as part of a loaded backfield. His Heisman Trophy and major role in some of college football's most dominant teams in a glorified era of the game.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-20-2009 @ 2:13PM
Clay said...
I graduated from the same high school that Doc Blanchard did in Bay St. Louis, Ms. Many years ago he gave his Heisman Trophy to the high school (St. Stanislaus) for them to display at the school. Every day for 2 years I got to walk past and look at the amazing trophy. He was a great football player but an even better person from the stories I've heard. My thoughts are prayers go out to his family.
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5-19-2009 @ 8:55PM
Bert Moore said...
Doc and I were classmates from the 4th grade through the 7th in Bishopville, SC.when he left for Stanislaus. Knew him well. Knew his father, a doctor. He was my doctor. Most of our classmates are now dead. The coach in B'vlle commented then that he would be a great athlete.
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