George Trafton

Who was George Trafton?

George Edward Trafton, was an American football player. He played as a center for the Decatur Staleys of the National Football League from 1920 to 1921 and 1923–1932. He is credited as being the first center to snap the ball with one hand. Trafton was inducted into the American Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1964.

Trafton's football skills first came to notice when he played at Oak Park River Forest High School, then named Oak Park High, in the Chicago suburb of Oak Park. Afterwards, he attended the University of Notre Dame for one year.

On December 18, 1929, Trafton took part in a boxing match against Chicago White Sox player Art Shires. Trafton won by decision after five rounds. He fought three more bouts in early 1930 before meeting future world champion Primo Carnera in Kansas City on March 26, 1930. Trafton was knocked out by Carnera in the first round of their fight. In the aftermath of the fight, Trafton was suspended indefinitely by the Missouri Boxing Commission for failing to provide more resistance in the 54 second bout.

Trafton later became the head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Western Interprovincial Football Union from 1951 to 1953.