Who was Sid Luckman? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Sidney Luckman

Died At Age: 81

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Estelle Morgolin (m. 1939)

children: Ellen, Gale

Born Country: United States

American Football Players American Men

Height: 6'0" (183 cm), 6'0" Males

Died on: July 5, 1998

place of death: Aventura, Florida, United States

City: Brooklyn, New York City

U.S. State: New Yorkers

More Facts

education: Columbia University

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Childhood & Early Life

Sidney Luckman was born in Brooklyn, New York, the United States, on 21st November 1916. His parents were Meyer and Ethel Druckman Luckman, who were both Jewish immigrants from Russia.

His father brought him a football when he was eight years of age, kindling in him an interest in the sport.

He studied at Erasmus Hall High School, where he played baseball as well as football. With his incredible football skills, he impressed recruiters from numerous colleges. As its quarterback, he led his school’s football team to two all-city championships.

After he finished high school, he chose to attend Columbia University. However, he was not admitted at Columbia College and instead went to the New College for the Education of Teachers. He played for their football team from 1936 till 1939, when the institute closed down. It was then that he was transferred to Columbia College.

During his time, he had to struggle a lot, and he took up jobs such as dish-washing and baby-sitting. As a part of the football team, he played quite well and completed 180 of 376 passes for 2413 yards and 20 touchdowns. He finished third in the 1938 voting for the Heisman Trophy.

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Professional Career

George Halas, who had heard of Sid Luckman’s outstanding performance at Columbia University, decided to travel to New York just to watch Luckman play with his own eyes. Halas was quite impressed and convinced the Pittsburgh Pirates to draft him into their team. He intended to use Luckman’s skills to help him restructure the offensive side of the game.

However, Sid Luckman initially said that he had no interest pursuing a career in professional football. He instead wanted to work in his father-in-law’s trucking company. But later he changed his mind and signed a contract for $5,500. It would be worth around $100,000 today.

During his second season for the team, in 1940, Sid Luckman became the team’s starting quarterback. On December 8, he took part in the Bears’ 73-0 victory over Washington, which is known as the most one-sided championship game in the history of the NFL. Luckman proved to be a very valuable player, and he led the team to three more championships, in 1941, 1943, and 1946.

He was also named the Most Valuable Player in the NFL for his performance in the 1943 season. The same year, on the 14th of November, he set a league record by passing for seven touchdowns in a single regular season game. On 26th December, he also established a record in a NFL championship game by throwing five touchdown passes as Washington was beaten by the Chicago Bears 41-21.

After the end of the 1943 season, Sid Luckman volunteered as an ensign with the US Merchant Marine. He was stationed stateside, and during this time, he could not practice with his team, but was allowed to play on game days during the following seasons. He again returned to the team, full-time, in 1946, leading the team to yet another NFL championship.

Later Years

Even after his retirement, Sid Luckman chose to remain with the Bears as vice president. He also became the team’s part-time quarterbacks coach in 1954 and continued in this position till the 1960s.

After departing from the NFL, he started working for Cel-U-Craft, a Chicago-based company that manufactured cellophane products, and eventually was made its president.

Family & Personal Life

Sid Luckman was married to Estelle Morgolin. They had a son named Bob and two daughters named Gale and Ellen.

His wife passed away in 1981, due to cancer. Luckman himself passed away on 5th July 1998, at the age of 81.

Sid Luckman Biography