University of Michigan’s triple-threat quarterback from 1930 to 1932, Harry Newman was everybody’s All–American during his senior year at Ann Arbor. Among the many honors he received in 1932 were the Douglas Fairbanks Trophy as Outstanding College Player of the Season (predecessor of the Heisman Trophy) and the Helms Athletic Foundation Player of the Year Award.

In his three gridiron seasons at Michigan, aside from a single loss and two ties, the Wolverines won every game. Of the total of 480 minutes of game time during his undefeated senior year, Newman played 437 minutes. College players played both offense
and defense until the mid-1950s.

Newman moved to professional football in 1933 with the New York Giants and was immediately one of the pro game’s highest paid performers. He signed a percentage contract based upon attendance. In his rookie year, he led the Giants to the National Football League championship game against the Chicago Bears. Although the Bears won the contest 23–21, Newman tossed two touchdown passes and at one point completed 13 straight
passes.

He picked up where he left off the following year, but suffered two broken bones in his back in a mid-season game against Chicago, and his career appeared to be ended. Although the Giants went on to defeat the Bears inthe 1934 NFL title game without Newman,
the recuperating quarterback was summoned from retirement at
mid-season in 1935 in hopes of reviving the faltering New Yorkers. Newman led the Giants to the Eastern Conference title that year, but it was to be his final season (only his third) of professional
football.

In 1952, Newman was in the first group of college football stars elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.