Ward Lloyd Cuff (August 12, 1913 – December 24, 2002) was an American professional football player who was a halfback and placekicker in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants, Chicago Cardinals, and Green Bay Packers. He played college football at Marquette University and was drafted in the fourth round of the 1937 NFL draft.[1]

As a fullback at Marquette, Cuff played in the first Cotton Bowl game, in 1937, losing to TCU. He was also Marquette's heavyweight boxing champion and held the school record in the javelin throw. Cuff played for the Giants from 1937 to 1945, won the NFL championship in 1938, and became the team's career scoring leader with 319 points before being traded to the Cardinals. He played one season with the Cardinals and one with the Packers. He led the NFL in field goals made four times. After his NFL career, Cuff coached high school football in Green Bay, was an assistant coach for the Oregon State Beavers football team, and later worked for The Boeing Company.[2]

His number 14 was retired by the Giants, although owner Wellington Mara gave Y. A. Tittle permission to wear it during his time with the Giants from 1961 to 1964. It was retired again in honor of both players.[3]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the NFL Championship
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GP GS Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD
1937 NYG 11 9 4 32 8.0 2 5 117 23.4 2
1938 NYG 11 11 18 38 2.1 0 8 114 14.3 1
1939 NYG 9 8 23 102 4.4 0 10 83 8.3 2
1940 NYG 8 8 15 86 5.7 1 13 220 16.9 1
1941 NYG 11 10 28 157 5.6 0 19 317 16.7 2
1942 NYG 11 10 38 189 5.0 0 16 267 16.7 2
1943 NYG 10 10 80 523 6.5 3 7 52 7.4 0
1944 NYG 10 9 76 425 5.6 0 11 135 12.3 2
1945 NYG 9 5 48 214 4.5 0 12 172 14.3 0
1946 CRD 10 7 13 78 6.0 1 5 82 16.4 1
1947 GNB 10 0 1 7 7.0 0 0 0 0.0 0
110 87 344 1,851 5.4 7 106 1,559 14.7 13

Playoffs

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GP GS Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD
1938 NYG 1 1 2 -12 -6.0 0 0 0 0.0 0
1939 NYG 1 1 3 7 2.3 0 1 4 4.0 0
1941 NYG 1 1 3 0 0.0 0 2 42 21.0 0
1943 NYG 1 1 9 23 2.6 0 2 46 23.0 0
1944 NYG 1 1 12 55 4.6 1 2 25 12.5 0
5 5 29 73 2.5 1 7 117 16.7 0

References

  1. ^ "1937 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  2. ^ Goldstein, Richard (January 13, 2003). "Ward Cuff, 90, Ex-Giants Back Who Was an All-Pro in the 40s". The New York Times. Retrieved June 10, 2018.
  3. ^ "New York Giants Retired Jersey Numbers". Big Blue Interactive. Retrieved August 25, 2016.


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