Anthony R. Canadeo, a Hall of Fame halfback for the Green Bay Packers, died on Nov. 28 from an aneurysm. He was 84.
While playing college football at Gonzaga University in Washington, Canadeo became known as the “Grey Ghost” for his prematurely grey hair. In 1941, he was a seventh-round draft pick of Green Bay, and became a starter for the Packers two years later. Although Canadeo took a year off to serve in the U.S. Army during World War II, he returned to play with the Packers until 1952.
At 5-foot-11 and 195 pounds, Canadeo was the third 1,000-yard rusher in pro football history when he rushed 208 times for 1,052 yards in 1949. For running 4,197 yards on 1,025 carries, he still ranks as the No. 4 rusher in Packer history. After he retired from football, the Chicago-native became a broadcaster and a member of the Packer’s executive team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.
In memory of Canadeo, the current Packers team recently added a black decal to the back of their helmets; they plan to continue sporting the decal, which bears a white No. 3, for the remainder of the season. Canadeo’s uniform number was one of only four retired by the franchise.
Statistics From Pro-Football-Reference.com
December 21, 2003 by
Tony Canadeo
Categories: Sports
Tony Canadeo was a graduate of Steinmet H.S. in Chicago. Go Silver Streaks!