June 13 Birthday of the Day: Red Grange

Red Grange, born Harold Edward Grange in Forksville, Pennsylvania on June 13, 1903, was a famous college and NFL football player. He grew up in Wheaton, Illinois and after lettering in 4 high school sports, went on to play college football for the University of Illinois. His Wikipedia entry says:

He signed with the NFL's Chicago Bears the day after his last college game; player/manager George Halas agreed to a contract for a 19-game barnstorming tour which earned Grange a salary and share of gate receipts that amounted to $100,000, during an era when typical league salaries were less than $100/game. That 67-day tour is credited with legitimizing professional football in the United States,

I taught the girls to remember the name "Red Grange" (yes, the pickins were slim today) by singing it to Peter Gabriel's song "Red Rain." It's appropriate for a football player. Just substitute the word "Grange" for "Rain" and it still makes sense:

Red Grange is falling down...
Red Grange.
Red Grange is falling down,
Falling down all over me.