Elmer Barbour

Who was Elmer Barbour?

Wesley Elmer Barbour II was an American football blocking back and linebacker who played for the National Football League's New York Giants during the 1945 season.

After attending Durham High School, Barbour played college football at Wake Forest for four years. He captained the team in 1943 and 1944, his junior and senior years. Barbour was an all-conference team selection in both years, and in 1944 was voted best blocking back in the Southern Conference.

In the 1945 NFL Draft, the Giants took Barbour in the first round with the 10th overall pick. He played in three games for the Giants in 1945, starting in each and recording one fumble recovery. The Giants did not bring Barbour back in 1946 following an offensive formation change by head coach Steve Owen. The Pittsburgh Steelers signed him, but he did not appear in any games for the team. Following his playing career, Barbour became a head coach at Durham High School, then joined Wake Forest from 1956 to 1960 in an assistant position. He was later an assistant at South Carolina.