Otto Schnellbacher

Otto Ole Schnellbacher (April 15, 1923 – March 10, 2008) was an American football defensive back in the National Football League for the New York Giants. He was a 2-time Pro Bowler. Also a professional basketball player, Schnellbacher played for the Basketball Association of America's Providence Steamrollers and St. Louis Bombers in 1948–49.

Otto Schnellbacher

Schnellbacher on a 1951 Bowman football card
Personal information
Born:	(1923-04-15)April 15, 1923 Sublette, Kansas
Died:	March 10, 2008(2008-03-10) (aged 84) Topeka, Kansas
Career information
College:	Kansas
Position:	Defensive back
NFL Draft:	1947 / Round: 25 / Pick: 231 (by the Chicago Cardinals)
Career history
New York Yankees (1948–1949) New York Giants (1950–1951)
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions: 34 Interception yards: 558 Touchdowns: 3
Player stats at PFR

In college, Schnellbacher was a two-sport star at the University of Kansas, earning him the nickname "the double threat from Sublette". On the gridiron, Schnellbacher, along with teammate Ray Evans, was KU's first football All-American in 1947. That same season, Schnellbacher led the Jayhawks to a Big 6 conference title and an Orange Bowl berth. Schnellbacher also excelled in basketball, where he was a four-time first-team all-conference selection (one of only three Jayhawks to do so). He was a member of the 1943 Big Six conference championship team (which also featured All-American teammates Charles B. Black and the aforementioned Ray Evans) that is regarded as one of the program's greatest teams.

Schnellbacher died at the age of 84 from cancer.[1]