Graham Armstrong
{{Short description|American football player (1918–1960)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Graham Armstrong
| image =
| number = 18, 32, 43
| position = Tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date|1918|5|30}}
| birth_place = Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1960|6|25|1918|5|30}}
| death_place = Gates Mills, Ohio, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 4
| weight_lbs = 230
| high_school = Cathedral Latin (Cleveland)
| college = John Carroll (1936–1939)
| undraftedyear =
| pastteams =
- Cleveland Rams ({{NFL Year|1941}}, {{NFL Year|1945}})
- Cleveland Browns (1946)*
- Buffalo Bills (1947–1948)
- Chicago Hornets (1949)*
| highlights =
| pfr = A/ArmsGr20
}}
Graham Leo Armstrong (May 30, 1918 – June 25, 1960) was an American professional football tackle who played for the Cleveland Rams of the National Football League (NFL) and the Buffalo Bills of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). He played college football at John Carroll University.
Early life and college
Graham Leo Armstrong was born on May 30, 1918, in Cleveland, Ohio.{{cite web | url=https://profootballarchives.com/players/a/arms01600.html | title=GRAHAM ARMSTRONG | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=27 January 2025}} He attended Cathedral Latin High School in Cleveland.
Armstrong was a member of the John Carroll Blue Streaks of John Carroll University from 1936 to 1939 and a two-year letterman from 1938 to 1939.
Professional career
Armstrong signed with the Cleveland Rams of the National Football League in 1941. He played in seven games for the Rams during the 1941 season.{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/A/ArmsGr20.htm | title=Graham Armstrong | publisher=Pro Football Reference | accessdate=27 January 2025}} In August 1942, it was reported that Armstrong, who was working for the Cleveland Police Department, was not granted a leave of absence so he could play for the Rams that year.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-plain-dealer/164103932/ | title=The Sport Trail | work=The Plain Dealer | date=August 25, 1942 | accessdate=27 January 2025 | author=Doyle, James, E. | pages=16}} He served in the United States Navy during World War II. After being discharged from the Navy, Armstrong signed with the Rams again in October 1945 and appeared in one game for them that year.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lancaster-eagle-gazette/164103437/ | title=Armstrong Signed | work=Lancaster Eagle-Gazette | date=October 13, 1945 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=27 January 2025 | pages=7}} On December 16, 1945, the Rams beat the Washington Redskins in the 1945 NFL Championship Game by a score of 15–14.{{cite web | url=https://profootballarchives.com/1945nflcle.html | title=1945 Cleveland Rams (NFL) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=27 January 2025}} Armstrong became a free agent after the season.
Armstrong was signed by the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) on July 24, 1946, but was later released.{{cite web | url=https://profootballarchives.com/transactions/a/arms01600.html | title=Graham Armstrong NFL Transactions | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=27 January 2025}}
In 1947, he signed with the Buffalo Bills of the AAFC. He played in all 14 games, starting eight, for the Bills during the 1947 season and converted eight of ten extra points while also missing one field goal. The Bills finished the season with an 8–4–2 record, good for second place in the Eastern Division.{{cite web | url=https://profootballarchives.com/1947aafcbuf.html | title=1947 Buffalo Bills (AAFC) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=27 January 2025}} Armstrong was later released during the middle of the 1948 season on October 11, 1948, but soon re-signed. Overall, he appeared in 13 games, all starts, for the Bills in 1948, totaling one reception, 15 of 17 extra points, and one missed field goal. The Bills went 7–7 that year, finishing in first place in the Eastern Division.{{cite web | url=https://profootballarchives.com/1948aafcbuf.html | title=1948 Buffalo Bills (AAFC) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=27 January 2025}} Armstong also started two playoff games for the Bills during the 1948 season, converting five of five extra points.
In 1949, Armstrong was allocated to the new Chicago Hornets of the AAFC. He officially signed with the team in March 1949.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee/164101843/ | title=Chicago Hornet Grid Team Signs Linemen | work=The Sacramento Bee | date=March 11, 1949 | agency=International News Service | accessdate=27 January 2025 | pages=19}} However, he was later released.
Death
Armstrong died on June 25, 1960, in Gates Mills, Ohio.
References
{{reflist}}
{{1945 Cleveland Rams}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Armstrong, Graham}}
Category:Players of American football from Cleveland
Category:American football tackles
Category:John Carroll Blue Streaks football players
Category:Cleveland Rams players
Category:Cleveland Browns players
Category:Buffalo Bills (AAFC) players