Leonard McGirl
 McGirl, circa 1930 | |
| No. 45 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Guard |
| Personal information | |
| Born | August 12, 1909 Washington, Missouri, U.S. |
| Died | February 1, 1963 (aged 53) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 206 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Odessa (Odessa, Missouri) |
| College | Missouri |
| Career history | |
| |
| Awards and highlights | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Leonard Edward McGirl (August 12, 1909 – February 1, 1963) was an American professional football guard who played for the St. Louis Gunners of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Missouri Tigers.
Early life
Leonard Edward McGirl was born on August 12, 1909, in Washington, Missouri.[1] He attended Odessa High School in Odessa, Missouri.[1][2]
College career
McGirl enrolled at the University of Missouri to play college football for the Tigers. He was a three-year letterman from 1928 to 1930.[1] He was captain of the 1930 team.[3] McGirl was named first-team All-Big Six Conference by both the Associated Press and United Press for his performance during the 1930 season at guard.[4][5]
Professional career
McGirl played for the independent St. Louis Gunners in 1933 as a guard.[6][7] The Gunners joined the National Football League (NFL) in 1934. McGirl competed with Russ Lay, Bill Montgomery, and Homer Reynolds for a starting guard job.[8] McGirl ended up starting the most games out of any of them during the 1934 NFL season.[9][2] He played in three games (all starts).[10] The Gunners returned to the independent scene in 1935, with McGirl remaining a member of the team.[11]
McGirl played for the St. Louis Terriers in 1936.[12]
In 1937, the Gunners moved to the Midwest Football League (MFL). In McGirl's final year with the team, he played in three games (starting two) during the 1937 MFL season.[1]
Personal life
In December 1930, McGirl had surgery for appendicitis.[13] On February 1, 1963, at the age of 53, he died in Philadelphia due to heart disease.[14][1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Len McGirl". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- 1 2 "In Professional Football". The Odessan. November 16, 1934. p. 1. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Leonard McGirl Named 1930 Captain of Tiger Eleven". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. December 12, 1929. p. 20. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ "All Big Six Team for 1930 Chosen by Ass'ted Press". The Kingsport Times. December 1, 1930. p. 2.
- ↑ "Kansas Eleven Wins 9 Places on All-Star Team". The Telegraph-Herald. November 30, 1930. p. 14.
- ↑ "Gunners Open Play Today Against Des Moines Club". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. October 1, 1933. pp. 9A. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ "McGirl Again Joins Gunners Grid Squad". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. September 10, 1934. pp. 11A. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Battle for Guard Posts". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. November 23, 1934. pp. 10A. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ "1934 St. Louis Gunners (NFL)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Len McGirl". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Many 1934 Stars". St. Louis Globe-Democrat. September 19, 1935. pp. 11A. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Terriers, New Pro Eleven, Open Against Peoria Today". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. November 22, 1936. pp. 5C. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Operate On Leonard McGirl". The Odessan. December 19, 1930. p. 1. Retrieved July 15, 2026.
- ↑ "Leonard McGirl Dies; Captained 1930 M.U. Team". Columbia Missourian. Associated Press. February 3, 1963. p. 9. Retrieved July 15, 2026.