Jug Girard

Earl Francis "Jug" Girard (January 25, 1927 – January 17, 1997) was an American football player. He played ten seasons in the National Football League (NFL) as an end, halfback, quarterback, punter, kickoff returner, defensive back, and punt returner. He played for the Green Bay Packers (1948-1951), Detroit Lions (1952-1956), and Pittsburgh Steelers (1957). He won two NFL Championships with the Lions in 1952 and 1953. He played college football at the University of Wisconsin in 1944 and 1947 and was selected as a first-team All-American halfback at age 17 in 1944.

Early years

Girard was born and raised in Marinette, Wisconsin, at the mouth of Green Bay. He was a star athlete in multiple sports, including baseball, basketball, and football, in high school.

Wisconsin and Army

While still in high school, Girard received offers to play baseball for five major league teams. Instead, he enrolled at the University of Wisconsin in the fall of 1944. Girard gained acclaim for his play at the halfback position. Before playing his first college game he was touted as the greatest passer ever to play for the Wisconsin Badgers football program. He lived up to the hype, as he became a star player as a 17-year-old freshman. At the end of the 1944 season, he was selected by Look magazine as a first-team All-American at the halfback position. He was also selected by the undefeated 1944 Ohio State Buckeyes football team as the most valuable player on the teams that the Buckeyes played against.