34. Pat Harder

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The Second Overall Pick Pat Harder from Wisconsin in 1944, Pat Harder made his first appearance for the Chicago Cardinals in 1946, where he was part of their “Million Dollar Backfield” along with Paul Christman, Charley Trippi, and Marshall Goldberg.

Harder’s tenure with the Cardinals was brief but potent.  Living up to the hype, he would help the Chicago Cardinals win the 1947 NFL Championship and went on a three-year streak of First Team All-Pro Selections. 

Playing at Fullback and also acting as the Cardinal's Place Kicker, Harder would become the first player in NFL history to exceed 100 Points in three straight years (1947-49).  Harder was named the MVP by UPI in 1948, and his overall accomplishments would earn him a membership to the 1940's All-Decade Team.

Harder was traded to the Detroit Lions in 1951 and would win another title there.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Fullback
  • Acquired: Selected in the 1st Round, 2nd Overall in the NFL Draft 4/19/44.
  • Departed: Traded to the Detroit Lions before the 1951 Season.
  • Games Played: 58
  • Notable Statistics:

    41 Games Started
    550 Rushing Attempts
    2,371 Rushing Yards
    25 Rushing Touchdowns
    60 Receptions
    510 Receiving Yards
    2 Receiving Touchdowns
    21 Field Goals Made
    41 Field Goal Attempts
    51.2 Field Goal Percentage
    169 Extra Point Attempts
    164 Extra Points Made
    97.0 Extra Point Percentage
    1 Punt Return
    10 Punt Return Yards
    11 Kick Returns
    204 Kick Return Yards
    N/A Approximate Value*

    2 Playoff Games
    21 Rushing Attempts
    67 Rushing Yards
    1 Field Goal Attempts
    0 Field Goals Made
    4 Extra Point Attempts
    4 Extra Points Made

    *Approximate Value was calculated by Pro Football Reference as of the 1960 Season.
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    NFL Championship (1947)
    UPI MVP (1946)
    Pro Bowl (1950)
    Most Points Scored (1947, 1948 & 1949)
    Most Extra Points Made (1948 & 1949)
    Most Extra Point Attempts (1948 & 1949)
    Most Field Goals Made (1947)
    Most Field Goal Attempts (1948)
    Highest Field Goal Percentage (1947)
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More in this category: « 33. Larry Stallings 35. Neil Lomax »

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