Walter Heap
{{Short description|American football player (1921–1989)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Walter Heap
| image = Walter Heap.jpg
| caption = Walt Heap, 1946
| number = 73
| position = Back
| birth_date = {{birth date|1921|9|18}}
| birth_place = Taylor, Texas, U.S.
| death_date = May 20, 1989 (aged 67)
| death_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 210
| high_school = Taylor (TX)
| college = Texas
| draftyear = 1947
| draftround = 2
| draftpick = 13
| pastteams =
- Los Angeles Dons (1947–1948)
| statleague = AAFC
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 15
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 1.9
| statlabel3 = Receptions
| statvalue3 = 4
| statlabel4 = Receiving yards
| statvalue4 = 9
| statlabel5 = Total touchdowns
| statvalue5 = 3
| statlabel6 = Interceptions
| statvalue6 = 10
| pfr = HeapWa20
}}
Walter Richmond Heap Jr. (September 18, 1921 – May 20, 1989) was an American football player who played at the quarterback position on both offense and defensive. He played college football for Texas and professional football for the Los Angeles Dons.
Early years
Heap was born in 1921 in Taylor, Texas. He attended and played football at Taylor High School.
Military and college football
He played college football for the University of Texas Longhorns in 1940, 1941, and 1946.
His career was interrupted by service in the amphibious force of the United States Coast Guard during World War II. He served on LSTs in eight amphibious invasions in the Pacific theater of operations. Based on his outstanding battle record, he was chosen as a special honor guard for President Harry S. Truman at his June 1945 speech before the United Nations in San Francisco.{{cite news|title=Former Longhorn Heap Helped Guard President|newspaper=The Austin American|date=June 27, 1945|page=9|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75018971/former-longhorn-heap-helped-guard/|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=Walter Heap Jr. Again In Position He Knows Best – Football Halfback, Revealed In News-story Sent Home by Lt. McConchie|newspaper=The Taylor Daily Press|date=November 28, 1944|page=5|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75019296/walter-heap/|via=Newspapers.com}}
Professional football
Heap was selected by the Boston Yanks in the second round (13th overall pick) of the 1947 NFL draft and by the Los Angeles Dons in the 10th round (77th overall pick) of the 1947 AAFC Draft. He played with the Dons during their 1947 and 1948 seasons.{{cite web|title=Walt Heap States|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=Pro-Football-Reference.com|accessdate=April 2, 2021|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/19.htm}}{{cite web|title=Walt Heap|publisher=Pro Football Archives|accessdate=April 2, 2021|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerh/heap00400.html|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|title=Top O' The Morn|newspaper=The Austin American|date=December 15, 1948|page=21|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/75019867/walt-heap/|via=Newspapers.com}}
Family and later years
He died in 1989 at age 67 in Dallas.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Heap, Walt}}
Category:Los Angeles Dons players
Category:Texas Longhorns football players
Category:Players of American football from Williamson County, Texas
Category:People from Taylor, Texas
Category:American football quarterbacks
Category:United States Coast Guard personnel of World War II