1951 All-Pro Team

Official list of the best NFL players in 1951 August 2023 25em 1951 All-Pro Team border-top:#aaa 1px solid All-Pro 1951 NFL season Selectors Associated PressUnited PressNew York Daily News border-top:1px #aaa solid 1949 1950 ← → 1952 1953 The 1951 All-Pro Team consisted of American football players in the National Football League (NFL) chosen as best at their position for the 1951 NFL season. Several rival journalistic organizations named All-Pro teams in 1951, there was no official league honor by that designation. Background The 1951 NFL All-Pro Team is something of a misnomer. This was not an official league-sponsored honor, nor was the team a single entity. In fact, several different rival journalistic institutions — all independent of the NFL — each named their own All-Pro Teams following the conclusion of play in the 1951 NFL season. The first of the three most important 1951 All-Pro teams was announced on December 19 by the United Press (UP).Earl Wright, "Cleveland Browns Win Nine Berths on All-NFL Team," Wichita Eagle, Dec. 19, 1951, p. 10. With the NFL's permanent adoption of the free substitution rule on January 23, 1950,Roger Treat, The Official National Football League Football Encyclopedia. New York: A.S. Barnes & Co., 1952; p. 22. it was clear by this date to virtually all observers that "the days of the 30- and 60-minute player" were "apparently doomed."Frank Eck, "Four Cleveland Browns on AP All-Pro Football Team," Chillicothe [OH] Gazette, Jan. 8, 1952, p. 10. Consequently full offensive and defensive units were named by the UP for the first time — a 22-man roster.For evidence that UP did not name two platoons previously, see, for example: "United Press All-Pro Team," Santa Maria [CA] Times, Dec. 12, 1950, p. 2. Offensively, the UP followed the conventional lineup of the day, selecting two ends, two offensive tackles, two guards, a center, a quarterback, two halfbacks, and a fullback. On the defensive side the UP selected two defensive ends, two defensive tackles, two middle guards, two linebackers, two defensive halfbacks, and one safety. First- and second-team squads were named for each of these positions. No specialist players such as kickers, punters, or kick returners were named. The rival Associated Press (AP), making its selections via a poll of "AP sportswriters in each city where the pros played," announced its elections early in January 1952.Frank Eck, "Four Cleveland Browns on AP All-Pro Football Team," Chillicothe [OH] Gazette, Jan. 8, 1952, p. 10. The 1951 season similarly marked the first time that both offensive and defensive teams were named by the AP. No "second team" was named, rather a more expansive "honorable mention" list was published. The third, and least prestigious, of the major All-Pro teams was chosen by the staff of the New York Daily News."1951 NFL All-Pros," Pro Football Reference, www.pro-football-reference.com/ Selections The All-Pro selections were dominated by players from the Cleveland Browns (nine first-team honorees including Otto Graham and Lou Groza), New York Giants (seven honorees including Emlen Tunnell), Los Angeles Rams (six first-team honorees including Elroy Hirsch), and Detroit Lions (four first-team honorees including Doak Walker). Consensus first-team All-Pros (13) marked with bold type. Offensive selectionsPositionPlayerTeamSelector(s)QuarterbackOtto GrahamCleveland BrownsAP-1, UP-1, NYDN-1QuarterbackBob WaterfieldLos Angeles RamsUP-2, NYDN-2HalfbackDoak WalkerDetroit LionsAP, UP-1, NYDN-1HalfbackDub JonesCleveland BrownsAP, UP-1, NYDN-1HalfbackJoe GeriPittsburgh SteelersUP-2, NYDN-1FullbackDan TowlerLos Angeles RamsUP-1, NYDN-1FullbackEddie PriceNew York GiantsAP, UP-2FullbackJohn "Kayo" DottleyChicago BearsUP-2EndElroy HirschLos Angeles RamsAP, UP-1, NYDN-1EndDante LavelliCleveland BrownsUP-1, NYDN-1EndLeon HartDetroit LionsAP, UP-1 [def. end]TackleGeorge ConnorChicago BearsAP, UP-1 [def. tackle], NYDN-1TackleTex CoulterNew York GiantsUP-1, NYDN-1TackleLou GrozaCleveland BrownsUP-1, NYDN-1TackleLeo NomelliniSan Francisco 49ersAPGuardLou CreekmurDetroit LionsAP, UP-1, NYDN-1GuardDick BarwegenChicago BearsAP, UP-1, NYDN-1CenterFrank GatskiCleveland BrownsUP-1, NYDN-1CenterVic LindskogPhiladelphia EaglesAP Defensive selectionsPositionPlayerTeamSelector(s)Defensive endLen FordCleveland BrownsAP, UP-1, NYDN-1Defensive endLarry BrinkLos Angeles RamsAPDefensive tackleArnie WeinmeisterNew York GiantsAP, UP-1, NYDN-1Defensive tackleAl DerogatisNew York GiantsAPDefensive guardBill WillisCleveland BrownsAP, UP-1, NYDN-1Defensive guardLes BingamanDetroit LionsAPDefensive guardJon BakerNew York GiantsUP-1Defensive guardStan WestLos Angeles RamsUP-2LinebackerChuck BednarikPhiladelphia EaglesAP, UP-1, NYDN-1LinebackerTony AdamleCleveland BrownsUP-1, NYDN-1LinebackerPaul "Tank" YoungerLos Angeles RamsAPDefensive halfbackOtto SchnellbacherNew York GiantsAP, UP-1, NYDN-1Defensive halfbackWarren LahrCleveland BrownsUP-1, NYDN-1Defensive halfbackJerry ShipkeyPittsburgh SteelersAPSafetyEmlen TunnellNew York GiantsAP, UP-1, NYDN-1 AP Honorable Mentions Offense Ends - Francis Polsfoot (Cardinals); Bob Mann (Packers); Dante Lavelli (Browns); Bob Walston (Eagles). Tackles - Bill Fischer (Cardinals); Paul Lipscomb (Redskins); Lou Groza (Browns). Guards - Abe Gibron (Browns); Bruno Banducci (49ers); Casimir Witucki (Redskins). Center - Frank Gatski (Browns). Backs - Bob Waterfield (Rams); Bob Hoernschemeyer (Lions); Dan Towler (Rams); Rob Goode (Redskins); Joe Geri (Steelers); Joe Perry (49ers); John Dottley (Bears); Bob Celeri (Yanks). Defense Defensive Ends - Ed Sprinkle (Bears); Ray Poole Giants. Defensive Tackles - John Kissell (Browns); Mike McCormack (Yanks). Middle Guards - Visco Grgich (49ers); Alex Agase (Browns). Linebackers - Tony Adamle (Browns); Tommy Thompson (Browns). Defensive Halfbacks - Howard Hartley (Steelers); Don Doll (Lions); Harry Gilmer (Redskins); Jack Christiansen (Lions). Safety - Buddy Young (Yanks). References 30em Category:All-Pro Teams Category:1951 NFL season