Russ Craft

{{Short description|American football player (1919–2009)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Russ Craft

| image = Russ Craft - 1952 Bowman Large.jpg

| caption = Craft on a 1952 Bowman football card

| number = 33, 24

| position = Defensive back
Halfback

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1919|10|15|mf=y}}

| birth_place = McEwen, Tennessee, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|2009|1|12|1919|10|15}}

| death_place = Wellsburg, West Virginia, U.S.

| height_ft = 5

| height_in = 9

| weight_lb = 178

| college = Alabama

| draftyear = 1943

| draftround = 15

| draftpick = 132

| pastteams =

• Philadelphia Eagles ({{NFL Year|1946|1953}})
• Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|1954}})

| highlights =

• 2× NFL champion (1948, 1949)
• 2× Pro Bowl (1951, 1952)
• Second-team All-SEC (1942)

| statlabel1 = Rushing yards

| statvalue1 = 231

| statlabel2 = Rushing average

| statvalue2 = 3.6

| statlabel3 = Receptions

| statvalue3 = 12

| statlabel4 = Receiving yards

| statvalue4 = 303

| statlabel5 = Interceptions

| statvalue5 = 22

| statlabel6 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue6 = 15

| statlabel7 = Total touchdowns

| statvalue7 = 7

| pfr = CrafRu00

}}

William Russell Craft (October 15, 1919 – January 12, 2009) was an American football defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{cite web|title=Players|url=http://www.nfl.com/player/russcraft/2512119/careerstats|website=NFL|access-date=August 23, 2016}} He played college football at the University of Alabama and was drafted in the fifteenth round of the 1943 NFL draft.{{cite web|title=1943 NFL Draft|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1943/draft.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=August 23, 2016}} In 1948, Craft was a key member of the Eagles in what became known as the Blizzard Bowl, in which the Eagles’ defense overwhelmed the Cardinals on the way to a 7–0 victory that earned Philadelphia its first N.F.L. championship.{{cite web|title=Russ Craft, Player on 2 Eagles' Title Teams, Is Dead at 89|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/18/sports/football/18craft.html?_r=0|website=The New York Times| date=January 17, 2009 |access-date=August 23, 2016}} In 1949, he was a notable player in helping the Eagles win a second World Championship, a 1947 Division Championship, and was selected to the Pro Bowl twice, in 1951 and 1952.

Craft had some other notable achievements. In 1950, against the Chicago Cardinals, the Eagles' defense recorded eight interceptions, including an NFL-record-tying four by Craft. Craft had 22 career interceptions. Then in 1952, while playing against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Craft was able to block three Extra points (PATs).

Craft was also a defensive coach for the Steelers.{{cite web|title=Two-time Pro Bowler Craft dies at 89|url=http://www.espn.com/nfl/news/story?id=3836842|website=ESPN| date=January 16, 2009 |access-date=August 23, 2016}}

After football, Craft served as the sheriff of Brooke County, West Virginia from 1969 to 1972.