Ray Hanken
{{Short description|American football player (1911–1980)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Ray Hanken
| image =
| position = End
| birth_date = {{birth date|1911|12|3}}
| birth_place = Oelwein, Iowa, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1980|11|29|1911|12|3}}
| death_place = Vienna, Virginia, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lbs = 190
| high_school = Sacred Heart (Oelwein)
| college = George Washington (1933–1936)
| undraftedyear = 1937
| pastteams =
- Baltimore Orioles (1936)
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|1937}}–{{NFL Year|1938}})
- Jersey City Giants (1939)
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|1940}})*
- Norfolk Shamrocks (1940)
| highlights =
| pfr = H/HankRa20
}}
Raymond George Hanken (December 3, 1911 – November 29, 1980) was an American professional football end who played two seasons with the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at George Washington University.
Early life and college
Raymond George Hanken was born on December 3, 1911, in Oelwein, Iowa. He attended Sacred Heart High School in Oelwein.
Hanken was a member of the George Washington Colonials of George Washington University from 1933 to 1936 and a two-year letterman from 1935 to 1936. He was a blocking back for two seasons before switching to end as a senior.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-baltimore-sun/166874878/ | title=Thrills Pack Lively Battle | work=The Baltimore Sun | date=November 30, 1936 | accessdate=28 February 2025 | pages=11}}
Professional career
On November 29, 1936, Hanken made his pro debut in a start for the Baltimore Orioles of the Dixie League against the Washington Pros. The Orioles won 13–7.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1936dflbal.html | title=1936 Baltimore Orioles (DFL) | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=28 February 2025}} He wore number 18 with the Orioles.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/h/hank00400.html | title=Ray Hanken | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=28 February 2025}}
Hanken signed with the New York Giants in 1937. He played in 11 games, starting two, for the Giants during the 1937 season, catching four passes for 51 yards.{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HankRa20.htm | title=Ray Hanken | publisher=Pro Football Reference | accessdate=28 February 2025}} He appeared in ten games, starting one, in 1938, recording five receptions for 73 yards and two touchdowns. The Giants beat the Green Bay Packers by a score of 23–17 in the 1938 NFL Championship Game. On January 15, 1939, the Giants played a team of football All-Stars in the NFL's first-ever All-Star game.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballresearchers.org/archives/Website_Files/Coffin_Corner/12-04-407.pdf | title=The First Pro Bowl Game | publisher=profootballresearchers.org | date=1990 | accessdate=6 January 2025 | author=Crawford, Fred, R.}} Hanken was released in 1939.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactions/h/hank00400.html | title=Ray Hanken NFL Transactions | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=28 February 2025}}
Hanken played in one game, a start, for the Jersey City Giants of the American Association in 1939.
He signed with the New York Giants again in 1940 but was later released.
Hanken appeared in one game for the Norfolk Shamrocks of the Dixie League in 1940.
Personal life
Hanken served in the United States Navy. He died on November 29, 1980, in Vienna, Virginia.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Find a Grave}}
{{1938 New York Giants}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Hanken, Ray}}
Category:Players of American football from Iowa
Category:American football ends
Category:George Washington Colonials football players
Category:New York Giants players
Category:People from Oelwein, Iowa
Category:United States Navy personnel