Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

I was reading an article about Ravens guard John Urschel, who's pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics at MIT. Back in the 1960s, Browns QB Frank Ryan got his mathematics doctorate at Rice University, and Cardinals QB Charley Johnson got his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Washington U. in St. Louis. There are lots of physicians and lawyers who have played in the NFL, but are there any other players who got doctorates of philosophy in one of the sciences? Or, for that matter, in the liberal arts? Not a trivia question, I'm just curious about whether there are others out there.

I know some people who DESERVE a Phd in football historiography ...

I think that Tony Adamle who played linebacker for the Cleveland Browns (1947-51, 1954) became a doctor after his playing days.

Sort of related, but Mike Reid retired after five seasons as a DL with the Bengals because he didn't want to damage his hands as he wanted to be a concert pianist. He gave up a pretty successful NFL career, but had a pretty successful career as a singer songwriter, eventually getting inducted to the Nashville Songwriter's Hall of Fame. Looking at his wiki page, I never realized he co-wrote Bonnie Raitt's classic "I Can't Make You Love Me".

I believe Blaine Nye Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman in the late 60's to mid 70"s has a PhD in Economics and Mike Oriard ex Notre Dame and KC Chief in the early 70$ has a PhD in literature and is a professor at Oregon State.

Carl Becker who wrote about the Tanks and Spartans was a history Ph.D. as was John Carroll who wrote bios on Pollard and Grange. Not sure about Keith McClellan - I suspect there are other academics who have written about pro football history - I know it wasn't the intention of the post, but this is what came to mind for me when I saw the subject. Besides history, sociology also has a branch dedicated to sports, and economists have written articles about things like whether NFL point spreads are efficient, stadium funding, etc.

Mark L. Ford wrote:I was reading an article about Ravens guard John Urschel, who's pursuing a Ph.D. in mathematics at MIT. Back in the 1960s, Browns QB Frank Ryan got his mathematics doctorate at Rice University, and Cardinals QB Charley Johnson got his Ph.D. in chemical engineering at Washington U. in St. Louis. There are lots of physicians and lawyers who have played in the NFL, but are there any other players who got doctorates of philosophy in one of the sciences? Or, for that matter, in the liberal arts? Not a trivia question, I'm just curious about whether there are others out there.

I've put together a file of pro basketball players that includes 12 with Ph.Ds along with others
who became physicians, dentists, politicians and top-ranked military personnel.
Anyone interested drop me a note and I'll send it to you.

Halas Hall wrote:I believe Blaine Nye Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman in the late 60's to mid 70"s has a PhD in Economics and Mike Oriard ex Notre Dame and KC Chief in the early 70$ has a PhD in literature and is a professor at Oregon State.

Correct about Nye. He got an MS in Physics, a Stanford MBA, and his Ph.D in Finance also from Stanford.

Halas Hall wrote:I believe Blaine Nye Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman in the late 60's to mid 70"s has a PhD in Economics and Mike Oriard ex Notre Dame and KC Chief in the early 70$ has a PhD in literature and is a professor at Oregon State.

John Grasso wrote:I've put together a file of pro basketball players that includes 12 with Ph.Ds along with others
who became physicians, dentists, politicians and top-ranked military personnel.
Anyone interested drop me a note and I'll send it to you.

Thanks, Mr. Hall and Mr. Grasso, information greatly appreciated.

Halas Hall wrote:I believe Blaine Nye Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman in the late 60's to mid 70"s has a PhD in Economics and Mike Oriard ex Notre Dame and KC Chief in the early 70$ has a PhD in literature and is a professor at Oregon State.

At the 2012 PFRA meeting at NFL Films, ESPN's Sal Paolontonio, who was the guest speaker for the Friday Night get-together, spoke highly of Oriard's book Reading Football and said it was one of the most influential football books he had ever read.