Tony Branoff

Tony Branoff
Branoff c. 1955
Born:(1934-01-01)January 1, 1934
Flint, Michigan, U.S.
Died:December 20, 2012(2012-12-20) (aged 78)
Saline, Michigan, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)Halfback
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight181 lb (82 kg)
CollegeMichigan
High schoolFlint Central High School
Career history
As player
1952–1955Michigan
Career highlights and awards

Anthonios "Tony" Branoff (January 1, 1934 – December 20, 2012) was an American football player. He played at the halfback position for the University of Michigan from 1952 to 1955. He was chosen as the Most Valuable Player on the 1953 Michigan Wolverines football team. He was the first sophomore to win the award. He also led the Wolverines in rushing in both 1953 and 1955.

Early years in Flint

Branoff grew up in Flint, Michigan, and played football for Flint Central High School in 1950 and 1951. He scored two touchdowns, including a 75-yard punt return against Kalamazoo Central High School as a senior.[1] He was selected by the Associated Press to its All-Michigan football team in 1951.[2] He tore cartilage in his left knee against Saginaw Arthur Hill during his senior year in high school, an injury that would affect Branoff throughout his football career. He was always outstanding in the Flint Northern Thanksgiving games.[3]

University of Michigan

1952 season

Branoff enrolled early at the University of Michigan in January 1952. As a second-semester freshman, he appeared in all 9 games for Michigan's football team on both defense and offense, including 6 games as the team's starting right halfback.[4] He broke into the starting lineup after Frank Howell was injured.[2] He scored his first touchdown in a 28–13 win over Indiana on October 11, 1952.[5] The Associated Press noted, "Tony Branoff, Michigan's burly second semester freshman from Flint, Mich., came alive after the intermission and scored the touch down, that gave momentum to the Wolverines and a 14–6 lead."[6] In early November, he added a defensive touchdown as he recovered a fumble in the end zone against Illinois.[7] He also scored a rushing touchdown in a come-from-behind win over Purdue in mid-November 1951.[8] Branoff's best performance of the 1952 season came in a 49–7 win over Cornell on November 8, 1952; Branoff gained 88 yards on 14 carries for an average of 6.3 yards per carry.[9]

1953 season

Branoff running with ball, 1953

As a sophomore in 1953, Branoff started all nine games for Michigan at the right halfback position.[10] He also handled punting duties for the 1953 team.[11] In the opening game of the 1953 season, Branoff ran for two touchdowns in a 50–0 win over Washington.[12] In the second game of the season, Branoff ran for two rushing touchdowns and kicked two extra points to lead Michigan to a 26–7 victory over Tulane.[13] At the end of October 1953, Branoff proved his value as a triple threat man as he "unreeled a spectacular 66-yard pass play" to Bob Topp.[14][15] In the final game of the 1953 season, Branoff led the Wolverines to a 20–0 win over Ohio State with a career-high 113 rushing yards on 17 carries for an average of 6.7 yards per carry. Branoff outgained all five Ohio State backs in the game, and also scored a touchdown on an interception return against Ohio State.[16][17]

Branoff was the Wolverines' leading rusher in 1953 with 527 yards (averaging 5.2 yards per carry) and their leading scorer with 39 points (6 touchdowns and 3 extra points).[18] Branoff also added 151 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown, 113 passing yards and 1 passing touchdown, 130 yards on kickoff returns, and 90 yards on punt returns. At the end of the 1953 season, Branoff was selected as the team's Most Valuable Player. His selection marked the first time that a sophomore was selected for Michigan's Most Valuable Player award.[18]

1954 season

As a junior in 1954, Branoff was slowed by a knee injury.[19] He played in the first two games of the season, but gained only 28 yards in 10 carries. He did not play in the Iowa and Northwestern games. Head coach Bennie Oosterbaan said the loss of Branoff would be "a big blow" but noted that he would not permit Branoff to play against Iowa because, "we'd rather lose all our games this season than have him injured for the rest of his life. His bad knee will heal all right if we give him enough time to rest."[20] Branoff attempted to come back from the injury in Michigan's homecoming game against Minnesota, gaining 38 yards on 6 carries and scoring his only touchdown of the 1954 season.[21] The Chicago Daily Tribune described Branoff's performance against Minnesota as follows:

"For the brief visits he made to the workyard, Tony Branoff, senior right half back who has been plagued with an ailing knee most of the season, was outstanding. Tony scored the first touchdown on successive smashes on 9 and 4 yards in the first quarter."[21]

Branoff carried the ball only twice the following week against Indiana. In early November 1954, Branoff hospitalized due to his injured knee, and Michigan coach Oosterbaan announced that Branoff was lost for the season.[22] Branoff believes he was the first football player to receive an injection of cortisone. However, the cortisone did not resolve the cartilage problem in his knee, and he underwent knee surgery after the 1954 season.[3]

1955 season

As a senior in 1955, Branoff returned to the lineup, starting all 9 games for the Wolverines at the right halfback position.[23][24] However, his mobility was limited because his knees were so heavily taped.[3] He later recalled, "I was not the fastest player in the world, so I had to rely on being shifty. But you sort of lose your speed after you have operations and your knees need to be taped."[3]

At the end of October 1953, Branoff helped lead the Wolverines to a come-from-behind win against Iowa. Iowa led 21-13 in the fourth quarter, but Michigan scored three touchdowns in the final nine minutes of the game.[25] Branoff scored the final touchdown on a play described by the Chicago Daily Tribune as follows: "Tony Branoff, whose knees are wrapped like an Egyptian's mummy's, rounded out a fine performance with a 31 yard touchdown run that was only so much frosting on this triumph."[26]

In early November 1955, Michigan lost its first game to Illinois by a score of 25-6. Branoff scored Michigan's only points with a 17-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and compiled 105 rushing yards on 17 carries for an average of 6.1 yards per carry.[27]

Despite the reduced mobility, Branoff was Michigan’s rushing leader for the second time in three years with 387 rushing yards, an average of 4.5 yards per carry, and 3 rushing touchdowns. After the 1955 season, Branoff was selected by the United Press as a first-team All-Big Ten halfback.[28] He was also selected to play in the East–West Shrine Game and scored a touchdown on a 7-yard run left end run in the fourth quarter.[29]

Professional football

Branoff was selected by the Chicago Cardinals in the 23rd round of the 1956 NFL draft and signed with the Cardinals in May 1956.[30] He was also offered $16,000 to play in the Canadian Football League, but he chose not to play professional football, because of worry over the condition of his knees.[3] He eventually had both knees replaced at age 65.[3]

Later years

After graduating from Michigan, Branoff worked in sales for 10 years. In 1966, he accepted a job with Cushing-Malloy book printers in Ann Arbor. He remained with the company for 37 years, retiring in 2003.[3]

In June 1956, Branoff was married to Marilyn Jane Frankensteen, daughter of former United Auto Workers leader Richard T. Frankensteen.[31] Branoff and his wife had three sons, Anthony Branoff, Jr., and twins, Terry and Timothy. He was divorced from his wife in 1972 and did not remarry.[3]

Branoff died at his home in Saline, Michigan on December 20, 2012, at the age of 78. He was buried at the Sunset Hills Cemetery in Flint.[32]

References

  1. ^ "Will Streak of Ann Arbor Is Snapped at 17". Owosso Argus-Press. September 15, 1951.
  2. ^ a b John F. Mayhew (October 1, 1952). "Branoff Set for Howell's Spot Saturday: Flint Freshman to be Wolverines' Right Halfback at Stanford". The Owosso Argus-Press.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Jim Cnockaert (2004). Michigan: Where Have You Gone?. Sports Publishing LLC. pp. 24–27. ISBN 1-58261-771-6.
  4. ^ "1952 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
  5. ^ "MICHIGAN IS VICTOR OVER INDIANA, 28–13; Branoff Stars on Land, Kress in Air as Winners Begin Big Ten Campaign". The New York Times. October 12, 1952.
  6. ^ "Michigan's Air Attack Tumbles Indiana, 28-13". St. Petersburg Times (AP story). October 12, 1952.
  7. ^ "Illini Upset Wolves, 22–13 On Early Splurge". Milwaukee Sentinel. November 2, 1952.
  8. ^ "Mighty Michigan Smashes Purdue's Rose Bowl Hopes". Spokesman-Review. November 16, 1952.
  9. ^ Edward Burns (November 9, 1952). "Michigan Rolls Over Cornell, 49–7". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. A1. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012.
  10. ^ "1953 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
  11. ^ "BRANOFF LEADING KICKER". Chicago Daily Tribune. September 10, 1953. p. D6. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012.
  12. ^ "Michigan Swamps Washington, 50–0". Los Angeles Times. September 27, 1953.
  13. ^ "MICHIGAN SCORES OVER TULANE, 26–7; Branoff Goes Over Two Times and Kicks 2 Points to Pace Victors Before 52,914". The New York Times. October 4, 1953.
  14. ^ "MICHIGAN RALLIES TO TOP PENN, 24-14; Trailing, 14 to 12, Wolverines Score Twice in Second Half to Win Before 57,655". The New York Times (AP story). November 1, 1953.
  15. ^ "66-Yard Pass Aids Michigan Win Over Penn". Los Angeles Times. November 1, 1953.
  16. ^ John Mayhew (November 22, 1953). "Michigan Wolverines Ambush Bucks 20-0". The News and Courier.
  17. ^ "Ohio State Set Down, 20 to 0, by Michigan". Chicago Tribune. November 22, 1953.
  18. ^ a b "Michigan Picks Branoff". Chicago Daily Tribune. November 25, 1953.
  19. ^ "BRANOFF LOST TO MICHIGAN FOR IOWA GAME". Chicago Tribune. October 6, 1954.
  20. ^ "Tony Branoff Lost For Iowa Contest". Holland Evening Sentinel. October 6, 1954.
  21. ^ a b Charles Bartlett (October 24, 1954). "Michigan Jars Minnesota, 34-0; Purdue Wins: BAER COUNTS 2 TOUCHDOWNS IN BIG 10 ROUT; Branoff Leads 2 Scoring Drives; JUGernaught". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. A1. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013.
  22. ^ "Sports Briefs". The Milwaukee Sentinel. November 2, 1954.
  23. ^ "1955 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
  24. ^ "Tony Branoff Sparks Michigan's Attack". Ironwood Daily Globe. September 19, 1955.("Branoff, playing with his left ankle still wrapped in protective tape, slammed his way to a pair of touchdowns Saturday to lead the Wolverine first stringers to a 47-6 scrimmage victory over the scrubs.")
  25. ^ "Sport: The Will to Prepare". Time. November 7, 1955. Archived from the original on December 15, 2008.
  26. ^ Edward Prell (October 30, 1955). "Michigan Beats Iowa, 33-21; Badgers, Illini Lose: Wolverines Win with 4th Period Rally". Chicago Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012.
  27. ^ Maurice Shevlin (November 6, 1955). "ILLINOIS' RALLY UPSETS MICHIGAN, 25-6: FIRST WOLVERINE LOSS!". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. A1. Archived from the original on February 1, 2013.
  28. ^ "Holland's Tom Maentz Selected By Coaches on All-Big 10 Team". THE HOLLAND, MICHIGAN, EVENING SENTINEL. November 22, 1955.
  29. ^ "Reichow Leads East Over West, 29 To 6". Victoria Advocate. January 1, 1956.
  30. ^ "Tony Branoff Signs With Football Cards". Hartford Courant. May 20, 1956.
  31. ^ "Tony Branoff to Wed". Hartford Courant (AP story). June 15, 1956. Archived from the original on July 14, 2012.
  32. ^ "Antonios "Tony" Branoff". ObitMichigan. Retrieved March 18, 2024.

Read other articles:

Kronosaurus

Kronosaurus Periode Aptian-Late Albian~120–100 jtyl PreЄ Є O S D C P T J K Pg N TaksonomiKerajaanAnimaliaFilumChordataKelasReptiliaOrdoPlesiosauriaFamiliPliosauridaeGenusKronosaurus Longman, 1924[1] Tipe taksonomi†Kronosaurus queenslandicusLongman, 1924[1] Tata namaDinamakan berdasarkanKronos Spesies lain †K. boyacensis Hampe 1992[2] lbs Kronosaurus adalah sejenis plesiosauria raksasa berleher pendek (Pliosauroidea) yang hidup pada awal Periode Kapur di la...

 

Hokuriku region

Subregion of Chūbu, Japan This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.Find sources: Hokuriku region – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (August 2011) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) Hokuriku subregion with Niigata The Hokuriku region (北陸地方, Hokuriku chihō) is located in the nor...

 

Ohio's 8th congressional district

U.S. House district for Ohio Ohio's 8th congressional districtInteractive map of district boundaries since January 3, 2023Representative  Warren DavidsonR–TroyDistribution77.95% urban22.05% ruralPopulation (2022)781,678[1]Median householdincome$72,748[2]Ethnicity74.5% White12.6% Black5.0% Hispanic4.3% Two or more races3.0% Asian0.7% otherCook PVIR+14[3] Ohio's 8th congressional district sits on the west side of Ohio, bordering Indiana. The cities of Hamilton, Fa...

Lega Italica (1454)

Italia nel 1454 La Lega Italica o Lega Tripartita, fu un'alleanza conclusa a Venezia il 30 agosto 1454, alla quale aderirono la Repubblica di Venezia, il Ducato di Milano e la Repubblica di Firenze, che fu preceduta dalla Pace di Lodi siglata qualche mese prima. Proclamata solennemente il 2 marzo 1455 con l'adesione anche di papa Niccolò V (1447-1455), di Alfonso V d'Aragona re di Napoli e di sovrani di altri Stati minori, sancì il reciproco aiuto in caso di attacco all'integrità di uno de...

 

Tombes peintes de Liaoyang

Tombes peintes de LiaoyangPrésentationType Site archéologiquePatrimonialité Site national majeur (1961)LocalisationLocalisation Liaoyang, Liaoning ChineCoordonnées 41° 18′ 58″ N, 123° 10′ 14″ Emodifier - modifier le code - modifier Wikidata Les tombes peintes de Liaoyang sont des grandes tombes en pierre possédant plusieurs chambres funéraires célèbres pour leurs fresques et datant de la fin de la dynastie Han (25-220) et du royaume de...

 

Синелобый амазон

Синелобый амазон Научная классификация Домен:ЭукариотыЦарство:ЖивотныеПодцарство:ЭуметазоиБез ранга:Двусторонне-симметричныеБез ранга:ВторичноротыеТип:ХордовыеПодтип:ПозвоночныеИнфратип:ЧелюстноротыеНадкласс:ЧетвероногиеКлада:АмниотыКлада:ЗавропсидыКласс:Пт�...

Hurikan Ida

Halaman ini berisi artikel tentang siklon tropis Atlantik tahun 2021. Untuk badai lain dengan nama yang sama, lihat Badai tropis Ida. Artikel ini bukan mengenai Siklon Idai atau Siklon Ita. Hurikan IdaHurikan mayor 4 (SSHWS/NWS)Hurikan Ida pada puncak intensitas menjelang pendaratan di Louisiana pada 29 AgustusTerbentuk pada26 Agustus 2021Mereda pada4 September 2021(Keluar wilayah tropis pada 1 September) Kecepatan anginmaksimal1 menit: 150 mil/jam (240 km/jam) Tekanan minimal929 mbar (hPa) K...

 

Kenneth M. Quinn

American diplomat For the cricketer, see Kenneth Quinn (cricketer). Kenneth M. Quinn10th United States Ambassador to Cambodia In officeDecember 12, 1995 – July 25, 1999PresidentBill ClintonPreceded byCharles H. TwiningSucceeded byKent M. Wiedemann Personal detailsBorn (1942-05-26) May 26, 1942 (age 81)New York, New YorkSpouseLe Son QuinnAlma materLoras College (B.A.)Marquette University (M.A.)University of Maryland (Ph.D.)ProfessionDiplomat Kenneth M. Quinn (born May 26, 1942)...

 

Trevor Kirczenow

Canadian politician For the newsreader, see Trevor McDonald. Trevor KirczenowTrevor KirczenowBorn1985 (age 38–39)CanadaOccupation(s)Healthcare researcher and advocate, author, politicianNotable workWhere's the Mother? Stories from a Transgender DadWebsitetrevorkirczenow.liberal.ca www.milkjunkies.net Trevor Kirczenow (born 1985) is a transgender health researcher and diabetes healthcare advocate. He is an author and community organizer in the field of LGBTQ lactation and infant fee...

André Jolly

Pour les autres membres de la famille, voir Famille Jolly. André JollyTitre de noblesseBaron Jolly (d)30 janvier 1846 - 3 décembre 1883Successeur Oscar JollyBiographieNaissance 13 avril 1799Région métropolitaine de BruxellesDécès 3 décembre 1883 (à 84 ans)Région métropolitaine de BruxellesNationalité belgeActivités Peintre, ingénieur, homme politiqueEnfants Oscar JollyFerdinand JollyBlasonmodifier - modifier le code - modifier WikidataLe Gouvernement provisoire de Belgique ...

 

哈萨克斯坦总统

此条目序言章节没有充分总结全文内容要点。 (2019年3月21日)请考虑扩充序言，清晰概述条目所有重點。请在条目的讨论页讨论此问题。 哈萨克斯坦總統哈薩克總統旗現任Қасым-Жомарт Кемелұлы Тоқаев卡瑟姆若马尔特·托卡耶夫自2019年3月20日在任任期7年首任努尔苏丹·纳扎尔巴耶夫设立1990年4月24日（哈薩克蘇維埃社會主義共和國總統） 哈萨克斯坦 哈萨克斯坦政府...

 

Дэйл, Алан

В Википедии есть статьи о других людях с фамилией Дейл. Алан Дэйлангл. Alan Dale Имя при рождении Алан Хью Дэйл Дата рождения 6 мая 1947(1947-05-06) (77 лет) Место рождения Данидин, Новая Зеландия Гражданство  Новая Зеландия Профессия актёр Карьера 1979 — наст. время. Направлен�...

Lincoln's Inn

One of the four Inns of Court in London, England For the Lincoln's Inn Society at Harvard Law School, see Lincoln's Inn Society. Entrance from Lincoln's Inn Fields The Honourable Society of Lincoln's Inn is one of the four Inns of Court in London to which barristers of England and Wales belong and where they are called to the Bar. (The other three are Middle Temple, Inner Temple and Gray's Inn.)[1] Lincoln's Inn is situated in Holborn, in the London Borough of Camden, just on the bord...

 

Distrik Motoyoshi, Miyagi

Lokasi Distrik Motoyoshi di Prefektur Miyagi. Lokasi munisipalitas yang ada di Distrik Motoyoshi, Prefektur Miyagi1. – Minamisanrikuwarna hijau - cakupan wilayah distrik saat iniwarna kuning - bekas wilayah distrik pada awal zaman Meiji Distrik Motoyoshi (本吉郡code: ja is deprecated , Motoyoshi-gun) adalah sebuah distrik yang terletak di Prefektur Miyagi, Jepang. Per 1 Oktober 2020, distrik ini memiliki estimasi jumlah penduduk sebesar 12.225 jiwa dan kepadatan penduduk sebesar 74,82 or...

 

Samuel Franklin Emmons

American geologist Samuel Franklin EmmonsAlma materHarvard UniversityEcole des MinesFreiberg (Saxony) mining schoolScientific careerFieldsgeologyInstitutionsUnited States Geological Survey Signature Samuel Franklin Emmons (March 29, 1841 – March 28, 1911) was an American geologist. He was born in Boston, Massachusetts. He graduated from Harvard University in 1861 and studied at the Ecole des Mines in Paris, France, from 1862 to 1864 and at the Freiberg (Saxony) mining school in 186...

Commonwealth Bank

Australian multinational bank Commonwealth Bank of Australia1 Darling Park Headquarters, SydneyCompany typePublicTraded asASX: CBAS&P/ASX 200 componentISINAU000000CBA7IndustryBanking and financial servicesFounded22 December 1911;112 years ago (1911-12-22)(government bank)12 September 1991;32 years ago (1991-09-12)(public company)HeadquartersDarling Park Tower 1, 201 Sussex Street, Sydney, New South Wales, AustraliaNumber of locations741 branches1,956 ATMs&...

 

Tumpa Autowali

2022 Indian television series Tumpa AutowaliGenreDramaRomanceCreated byAnindya SahaBased onMithuna RaashiWritten byNK. SalilStarringDona Bhowmik Sayan BoseTheme music composerAnindya ChattopadhyayOpening themeAmi Tumpa Autowali Pounche Deboi TimelyComposerPoushali BanerjeeCountry of originIndiaOriginal languageBengaliNo. of seasons1No. of episodes684ProductionProducerAnindya SahaProduction locationKolkataCamera setupMulti-cameraRunning time22 minutesProduction companyCrystal Dreams Production...

 

Vestur-Ísafjarðarsýsla

Vestur-ÍsafjarðarsýslaCountyCounty di IslandiaNegara IslandiaRegionVestfirðirZona waktuUTC+0 (GMT) Vestur-Ísafjarðarsýsla adalah sebuah county di Iceland. County ini terletak di region Vestfirðir. Kota-kotanya berada dalam satu munisipalitas bernama Ísafjörður. lbsRegion dan County di IslandiaWilayah Statistik           County TradisionalWilayah Ibu KotaKjósarsýslaSemenanjung SelatanGullbringusýslaRegion BaratBorgarfjarðarsýsla · D...

Eastville (Virginie)

Pour les articles homonymes, voir Eastville. Cet article est une ébauche concernant une localité de Virginie. Vous pouvez partager vos connaissances en l’améliorant (comment ?) selon les recommandations des projets correspondants. EastvilleL’ancienne cour de justice du comté à Eastville.GéographiePays  États-UnisÉtat VirginieComté comté de Northampton (siège)Superficie 0,49 km2 (2010)Surface en eau 0 %Altitude 9 mCoordonnées 37° 21′ 10″ ...

 

武宣県

中華人民共和国 広西自治区 武宣県 武宣鎮の古い町並み武宣鎮の古い町並み 簡体字 武宣 繁体字 武宣 拼音 Wŭxuān カタカナ転写 ウーシュェン 国家 中華人民共和国 自治区 広西 地級市 来賓市 行政級別 県 面積 総面積 1,739 km² 人口 総人口(2004) 41.66 万人 経済 電話番号 0772 郵便番号 545900 ナンバープレート 桂G 行政区画代碼 451323 公式ウェブサイト： http://www.wuxuan.gov.cn/...