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Xavier "Red Fang" Downwind
No. 18
Position: End / Tackle
Personal information
Born: December 24, 1893
Red Lake Indian Reservation, Minnesota
Died: July 26, 1968(1968-07-26) (aged 74)
Bemidji, Minnesota
Height: 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight: 200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
College: Carlisle Indian
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Xavier Downwind, also known as Red Fang, was a talented American football player. He was born on December 24, 1893, and passed away on July 26, 1968. He played in the National Football League (NFL) in 1922 and 1923. Before joining the NFL, he played college football at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School. This special school was in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

After college, Xavier Downwind joined the Oorang Indians NFL team. This team was unique because it was made up only of Native American players. Their coach was the famous athlete Jim Thorpe. Xavier Downwind was a member of the Chippewa tribe.

Who Was Xavier Downwind?

Xavier Downwind was a professional football player. This means he played football as his job. He played for two seasons in the National Football League. The NFL is the biggest professional football league in the United States.

Playing College Football

Before becoming a pro, Xavier played college football. He attended the Carlisle Indian School. This school was well-known for its strong sports teams. Many talented Native American athletes played there.

Joining the Oorang Indians

In 1922, Xavier Downwind joined the Oorang Indians. This team was very special. It was based in LaRue, Ohio. All the players on the team were Native Americans.

The team's coach was Jim Thorpe. Jim Thorpe was one of the greatest athletes of his time. He was famous for winning Olympic medals and playing many sports.

Xavier Downwind's Family Life

Xavier Downwind was the son of James Mayshuckkence Downwind. He was married two times during his life. His first wife was Katie Isabelle. They had a son named Paul Xavier Downwind in 1919.

Later, in the mid-1920s, he married Rose Eliza Smith. Xavier and Rose had seven children together. Their children were Xavier Francis, Rupert, Herman, Winnifred, Ruth Arlean, Anna Margaret, and Leo Harold Lee. Xavier Downwind also had many grandchildren who live in Minnesota today.

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