Merl Condit
Number1, 35, 44, 42
PositionHalfback
Birth dateMarch 21, 1917
Birth placeBelle Vernon, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Death dateOctober 18, 1992 (aged 75)
Death placeWexford, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height5 ft
Height in11
Weight lb187
High schoolCharleston
CollegeCarnegie Mellon (1936-1939)
Draftyear1940
Draftround2
Draftpick15
Pastteams
Pastcoaching
Highlights
Statlabel 1Rushing yards
Statvalue 11,713
Statlabel 2Rushing average
Statvalue 24.1
Statlabel 3Receptions
Statvalue 332
Statlabel 4Receiving yards
Statvalue 4323
Statlabel 5Total touchdowns
Statvalue 514
PfrCondMe20

Merlyn Edwin Condit (March 21, 1917 – October 18, 1992), nicknamed "Merlyn the Magician",[1] was an American professional football player who was a halfback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Washington Redskins, and Brooklyn Dodgers. He played college football for the West Virginia Mountaineers and Carnegie Mellon University.[1]

Professional career

The Cleveland Rams selected Condit in the second round of the 1940 NFL draft,[2] but he never played for them, instead joining Pittsburgh as a rookie in 1940, where he earned a selection to the NFL All-Star Game.[3] Condit next played three seasons for the Brooklyn Dodgers between 1941 and 1943. In 1942 Condit finished second in the league in rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage, and first in yards per carry.[4] He was named to his second All-Star Game and was voted 2nd team All-NFL by the AP, NFL, and NY Daily News.[5]

Condit also contributed to Brooklyn's defense and special teams. He intercepted 10 passes for the Dodgers, kicked 5 field goals and 21 extra points, and served as punter and punt returner during his time with the club.[4]

Condit served in World War II during parts of 1943 and 1944. He returned to the NFL in 1945, playing that year for the Washington Redskins. He finished his career with Pittsburgh in 1946.

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesRushingReceiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTD
1940PIT102522053.9-04307.5-1
1941BKN1111913573.94145326.4210
1942BKN11111296475.0632911112.3560
1943BKN87671902.8251710114.4651
1945WAS50361734.84133165.3120
1946PIT98461413.12314338.3230
54394211,7134.163113232310.1652

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesRushingReceiving
GPGSAttYdsAvgLngTDRecYdsAvgLngTD
1945WAS119182.0-0111.010
119182.0-0111.010

References

  1. ^ "Football Historian - Football History, facts, stats, players, history". www.footballhistorian.com. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  2. ^ "1940 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  3. ^ "1940 NFL Pro Bowlers". www.pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  4. ^ "Merl Condit NFL & AFL Football Statistics". www.pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 2010-01-04.
  5. ^ "1942 NFL Pro Bowlers". www.pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved 2010-01-04.