Best college football players of all time from every state

Pennsylvania – Red Grange

Though the Galloping Ghost is typically known for his success at the University of Illinois, Grange was born in Forksville, Pennsylvania.

Once hailed as the greatest all-around football player of all time, Grange was apparently quite the ladies man as well, if the above photo is any indication. He was one of the early superstars of the game, working to– and eventually helping– bring football into a national spotlight thanks to a sharp mind for the game and great athleticism.

In his 20 games at Illinois prior to his rise into the Chicago Bears organization, Grange rushed for 3,362 and went for a total of 31 touchdowns. In his first game as an Illini, the Ghost rushed for three touchdowns against a historic powerhouse in the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Grange also completed 40 of 82 passes in his career, while accumulating almost 600 yards. He also was an All-American for three straight years.

Grange was one of the earliest “superstars” of the game, and his signing with the Chicago Bears helped to legitimize the National Football League. Later, the Bears would retire his signature #77, and Grange would find a spot in the NFL 1920’s All-Decade Team and was named the best college football player of all time in 2008 by ESPN.

Grange is revered as a hero to Illinois fans, but his heritage comes straight from Pennsylvania, where his family lived. He played for the Illini from 1923-1925 and left a legacy that will likely never be topped for the Fighting Illini.

Fun fact: Grange was also a spearhead of the American Football League, and Grange’s team, The New York Yankees, was eventually assimilated into the NFL.