Clyde J. LeForce, Jr. (June 4, 1923 – June 9, 2006) was an American football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played

college football College football (french: Football universitaire) refers to gridiron football played by teams of student athletes. It was through college football play that American football rules first gained popularity in the United States. Unlike most ...

for the

University of Tulsa The University of Tulsa (TU) is a private research university in Tulsa, Oklahoma. It has a historic affiliation with the Presbyterian Church and the campus architectural style is predominantly Collegiate Gothic. The school traces its origin to ...

College career

LeForce attended the University of Tulsa, where he played football as a quarterback in 1942, 1943 and, after a hiatus to serve in the United States Navy during World War II, 1946. In 1943, he led the team in scoring (59 points), rushing (290 yards), passing (557 yards), punting (908 yards), and punt returns (154 yards). In 1946, he was named an All- Missouri Valley Conference player.Player Bio: Clyde LeForce
University of Tulsa, retrieved February 18, 2009. LeForce was inducted into the Tulsa Hurricane Hall of Fame in 1986.

Professional football career

LeForce was selected by the

Detroit Lions The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit. The Lions compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) North Division. The team play their home games at Ford ...

in the 19th round of the

1945 NFL Draft The 1945 National Football League Draft was held on April 8, 1945, at the Commodore Hotel in New York City, New York. With the first overall pick of the draft, the Chicago Cardinals selected halfback Charley Trippi. Player selections Round o ...

(194th overall). However, he returned to Tulsa for his final year of college eligibility before he entered the NFL. In 1947, he went to play for the Lions where he remained for all three years of his professional playing career. In 1947, he played nine games including two starts. He completed 94 passes on 175 attempts for 1,384 yards and 13 touchdowns and 20 interceptions. LeForce also compiled 143 rushing yards and three defensive interceptions. In 1948, LeForce played in twelve games including two starts, where he recorded 50 completions on 101 attempts for 912 yards, nine touchdowns, and eight interceptions. He rushed for 86 yards and one rushing touchdown and compiled 122 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns. He also recorded one defensive interception. In 1949, he played in eleven games including one start. He completed 53 of 112 attempts for 665 yards, three touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He rushed for 58 yards and one touchdown.Clyde LeForce Statistics
Pro Football Reference, retrieved February 18, 2009. LeForce died on June 9, 2006.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Leforce, Clyde 1923 births 2006 deaths American football quarterbacks Detroit Lions players San Diego Naval Training Station Bluejackets football players Tulsa Golden Hurricane football players United States Navy personnel of World War II People from Pawnee, Oklahoma Players of American football from Oklahoma