Fansided

10 best Michigan alumni in NFL history

By Russell S. Baxter

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS - JANUARY 04: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots looks to pass against the Tennessee Titans in the second quarter of the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 04, 2020 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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Hall of Fame wide receiver Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch of the Los Angeles Rams makes a nice catch in a 38-23 loss to the Cleveland Browns on October 7, 1951 in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (Photo by Vic Stein/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
Hall of Fame wide receiver Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch of the Los Angeles Rams makes a nice catch in a 38-23 loss to the Cleveland Browns on October 7, 1951 in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. (Photo by Vic Stein/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

4. Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch

It’s one of the longest-standing single-game marks in NFL history. On September 28, 1951, at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Rams quarterback Norm Van Brocklin threw for a league-record 554 yards (as well as 5 touchdowns) in a 54-14 win over the New York Yanks.

In that contest, teammate Elroy “Crazylegs” Hirsch was Van Brocklin’s favorite target that day. The Rams’ receiver caught nine passes for 173 yards and four touchdowns in the 40-point victory. That performance was a big part of a huge season for Hirsch, who led the NFL in receptions (66), receiving yards (1,495) and TD receptions (17).

The former University of Michigan product’s pro career began in the AAFC with the Chicago Rockets. He joined the NFL’s Rams in 1950 and spent nine seasons with the club, winning a championship in 1951.

His NFL resume reads 343 catches for 6,299 yards and 53 scores. What stands out is that Hirsch averaged an impressive 18.4 yards per reception during his Hall of Fame career. He also saw time on the defense and special teams during his 12-year professional career.

With the Rams, Hirsch was a three-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro and is a member of the NFL’s 1950s All-Decade Team.

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