Bob McNamara (Canadian football) facts for kids
| Date of birth: | August 12, 1931 |
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| Place of birth: | Hastings, Minnesota, U.S. |
| Date of death: | July 20, 2014 (aged 82) |
| Place of death: | Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S. |
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Career information
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| Status: | Retired |
| CFL status: | Import |
| Position(s): | Running Back & Defensive Back |
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight: | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| College: | University of Minnesota |
| NFL Draft: | 1953 / Round: 9 / Pick: 108 |
| Drafted by: | Cleveland Browns |
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Organizations
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Career highlights and awards
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| CFL West All-Star: | 1956 |
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Career stats
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| Playing stats at NFL.com | |
John Robert McNamara (August 12, 1931 – July 20, 2014) was an American football all-star running back. He played in both the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the American Football League (AFL).
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Bob McNamara: A Football Star
Bob McNamara was a very talented football player. He was known for his speed and skill as a running back. He played professionally in two different leagues.
College Football Star
Bob McNamara was a big star at the University of Minnesota. He played for their team, the Minnesota Gophers. In 1954, he was named the team's Most Valuable Player (MVP). He was also chosen as an All-American player. This means he was one of the best college football players in the whole country. The Cleveland Browns picked him in the 1953 NFL Draft.
Playing in Canada
Instead of playing in the NFL, Bob McNamara decided to join the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. This team is part of the CFL. He signed with them in 1955.
His first year was a bit slow. But in 1956, he had an amazing season. He ran for over 1,100 yards. He also caught 36 passes for more than 500 yards. He scored 17 touchdowns that year. He was even chosen as an all-star in the CFL.
On October 13, 1956, Bob McNamara set an incredible CFL record. He scored 6 touchdowns in one game against the BC Lions. This is still a record today!
Unfortunately, injuries started to affect his career. He played less in 1957 and 1958. He was not able to play in the Blue Bombers' Grey Cup victory in 1958. The Grey Cup is like the Super Bowl for Canadian football.
American Football League
After his time in Canada, McNamara played in a new league. This was the AFL. He joined the Denver Broncos in 1960. The Broncos were a brand new team at the time.
He played two seasons with the Broncos. He played as a receiver and a cornerback. He caught 7 passes and also intercepted 7 passes from opposing teams. Later, he tried out for the Minnesota Vikings.
A Gopher Legend
In his later years, Bob McNamara was a huge supporter of Minnesota Gophers sports. He worked hard to help build TCF Bank Stadium. This stadium opened in 2009. It brought outdoor football back to the university campus.
Bob McNamara passed away on July 20, 2014, after battling an illness. He is remembered as a great player and a dedicated supporter of his college team.
