# Tony Branoff > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Tony_Branoff > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Tony_Branoff.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Branoff > Source revision: 1350292302 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|American football player (1934–2012)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}} {{Infobox CFL biography |name = Tony Branoff |team = |image = Tony Branoff.png |alt = |caption = Branoff c. 1955 |status = |position1 = [Halfback](/source/Halfback_(American_football)) |position2 = |birth_date = {{birth date|1934|01|01}} |birth_place = [Flint, Michigan](/source/Flint%2C_Michigan), U.S. |death_date = {{death date and age|2012|12|20|1934|01|01}} |death_place = [Saline, Michigan](/source/Saline%2C_Michigan), U.S. |number = |College = [Michigan](/source/University_of_Michigan) |high_school = [Flint Central High School](/source/Flint_Central_High_School) |Height_ft = 5 |Height_in = 11 |Weight_lbs = 181 |playing_years1 = 1952–1955 |playing_team1 = [Michigan](/source/University_of_Michigan) |career_highlights = * First-team [All-Big Ten](/source/List_of_All-Big_Ten_Conference_football_teams) ([1955](/source/1955_All-Big_Ten_Conference_football_team)) |Awards = |CollegeHOF = |CollegeHOFYear = }} '''Anthonios "Tony" Branoff''' (January 1, 1934 – December 20, 2012) was an American [football](/source/American_football) player. He played at the [halfback](/source/Halfback_(American_football)) position for the [University of Michigan](/source/University_of_Michigan) from 1952 to 1955. He was chosen as the Most Valuable Player on the [1953 Michigan Wolverines football team](/source/1953_Michigan_Wolverines_football_team). He was the first sophomore to win the award. He also led the Wolverines in rushing in both 1953 and 1955. ==Early years in Flint== Branoff grew up in [Flint, Michigan](/source/Flint%2C_Michigan), and played football for [Flint Central High School](/source/Flint_Central_High_School) in 1950 and 1951. He scored two [touchdown](/source/touchdown)s, including a 75-yard [punt return](/source/Punt_(gridiron_football)) against [Kalamazoo Central High School](/source/Kalamazoo_Central_High_School) as a senior.{{cite news|title=Will Streak of Ann Arbor Is Snapped at 17|newspaper=Owosso Argus-Press|date=1951-09-15}} He was selected by the [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press) to its All-Michigan football team in 1951. He tore [cartilage](/source/cartilage) in his left knee against Saginaw Arthur Hill during his senior year in high school, an injury that would affect Branoff throughout his football career. He was always outstanding in the Flint Northern Thanksgiving games.{{cite book|author=Jim Cnockaert|title=Michigan: Where Have You Gone?|year=2004|pages=[https://archive.org/details/michiganwherehav0000cnoc/page/24 24–27]|publisher=Sports Publishing LLC |isbn=1-58261-771-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/michiganwherehav0000cnoc/page/24}} ==University of Michigan== ===1952 season=== Branoff enrolled early at the University of Michigan in January 1952. As a second-semester freshman, he appeared in all 9 games for [Michigan's football team](/source/1952_Michigan_Wolverines_football_team) on both defense and offense, including 6 games as the team's starting right halfback.{{cite web|title=1952 Football Team|publisher=University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library|url= https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1952fbt.htm}} He broke into the starting lineup after Frank Howell was injured.{{cite news|author=John F. Mayhew|title=Branoff Set for Howell's Spot Saturday: Flint Freshman to be Wolverines' Right Halfback at Stanford|newspaper=The Owosso Argus-Press|date=1952-10-01}} He scored his first touchdown in a 28–13 win over [Indiana](/source/Indiana_Hoosiers_football) on October 11, 1952.{{cite news|title=MICHIGAN IS VICTOR OVER INDIANA, 28–13; Branoff Stars on Land, Kress in Air as Winners Begin Big Ten Campaign|newspaper=The New York Times|date=1952-10-12|url= http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F10F15FE3458177B93C0A8178BD95F468585F9}} The Associated Press noted, "Tony Branoff, Michigan's burly second semester freshman from Flint, Mich., came alive after the intermission and scored the touch down, that gave momentum to the Wolverines and a 14–6 lead."{{cite news|title=Michigan's Air Attack Tumbles Indiana, 28-13|newspaper=St. Petersburg Times (AP story)|date=1952-10-12|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=HQ4kAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Kk8DAAAAIBAJ&pg=5051,5261388&dq=tony+branoff+indiana&hl=en}} In early November, he added a defensive touchdown as he recovered a [fumble](/source/fumble) in the [end zone](/source/end_zone) against [Illinois](/source/Illinois_Fighting_Illini_football).{{cite news|title=Illini Upset Wolves, 22–13 On Early Splurge|newspaper=Milwaukee Sentinel|date=1952-11-02}} He also scored a [rush](/source/Rush_(American_football))ing touchdown in a come-from-behind win over [Purdue](/source/Purdue_Boilermakers_football) in mid-November 1951.{{cite news|title=Mighty Michigan Smashes Purdue's Rose Bowl Hopes|newspaper=Spokesman-Review|date=1952-11-16|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=_m8pAAAAIBAJ&sjid=AOYDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6741,575287&dq=tony+branoff+purdue&hl=en}} Branoff's best performance of the 1952 season came in a 49–7 win over [Cornell](/source/Cornell_Big_Red_football) on November 8, 1952; Branoff gained 88 yards on 14 carries for an average of 6.3 yards per carry.{{cite news|author=Edward Burns|title=Michigan Rolls Over Cornell, 49–7|newspaper=Chicago Daily Tribune|date=1952-11-09|page=A1|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/498869862.html?dids=498869862:498869862&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+09,+1952&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Michigan+Rolls+Over+Cornell,+49-7&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103103604/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/498869862.html?dids=498869862:498869862&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+09,+1952&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Michigan+Rolls+Over+Cornell,+49-7&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 3, 2012}} ===1953 season=== thumb|left|175px|Branoff running with ball, 1953 As a sophomore in 1953, Branoff started all nine games for Michigan at the right halfback position.{{cite web|title=1953 Football Team|publisher=University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library |url=https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1953fbt.htm}} He also handled punting duties for the [1953 team](/source/1953_Michigan_Wolverines_football_team).{{cite news|title=BRANOFF LEADING KICKER|newspaper=Chicago Daily Tribune|date=1953-09-10|page=D6|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/503948042.html?dids=503948042:503948042&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+10,+1953&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=BRANOFF+LEADING+KICKER&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120715194310/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/503948042.html?dids=503948042:503948042&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+10,+1953&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=BRANOFF+LEADING+KICKER&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2012}} In the opening game of the 1953 season, Branoff ran for two touchdowns in a 50–0 win over [Washington](/source/Washington_Huskies_football).{{cite news|title=Michigan Swamps Washington, 50–0|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=1953-09-27}} In the second game of the season, Branoff ran for two rushing touchdowns and kicked two extra points to lead Michigan to a 26–7 victory over [Tulane](/source/Tulane_Green_Wave_football).{{cite news|title=MICHIGAN SCORES OVER TULANE, 26–7; Branoff Goes Over Two Times and Kicks 2 Points to Pace Victors Before 52,914|newspaper=The New York Times|date=1953-10-04|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0C13F7395A117A93C6A9178BD95F478585F9}} At the end of October 1953, Branoff proved his value as a [triple threat man](/source/triple_threat_man) as he "unreeled a spectacular 66-yard pass play" to Bob Topp.{{cite news|title=MICHIGAN RALLIES TO TOP PENN, 24-14; Trailing, 14 to 12, Wolverines Score Twice in Second Half to Win Before 57,655|newspaper=The New York Times (AP story)|date=1953-11-01|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0B16F93D58117A93C3A9178AD95F478585F9}}{{cite news|title=66-Yard Pass Aids Michigan Win Over Penn|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=1953-11-01}} In the final game of the 1953 season, Branoff led the Wolverines to a 20–0 win over [Ohio State](/source/1953_Ohio_State_Buckeyes_football_team) with a career-high 113 rushing yards on 17 carries for an average of 6.7 yards per carry. Branoff outgained all five Ohio State [back](/source/Running_back)s in the game, and also scored a touchdown on an [interception](/source/interception) return against Ohio State.{{cite news|author=John Mayhew|title=Michigan Wolverines Ambush Bucks 20-0|newspaper=The News and Courier|date=1953-11-22|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Kqw1AAAAIBAJ&sjid=HxQLAAAAIBAJ&pg=1170,3612293&dq=tony+branoff+ohio&hl=en }}{{cite news|title=Ohio State Set Down, 20 to 0, by Michigan|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=1953-11-22}} Branoff was the Wolverines' leading rusher in 1953 with 527 yards (averaging 5.2 yards per carry) and their leading scorer with 39 points (6 touchdowns and 3 extra points).{{cite news|title=Michigan Picks Branoff|newspaper=Chicago Daily Tribune|date=1953-11-25}} Branoff also added 151 [receiving](/source/Reception_(American_football)) yards and 1 receiving touchdown, 113 [passing](/source/Forward_pass) yards and 1 passing touchdown, 130 yards on [kickoff return](/source/Kickoff_(American_football))s, and 90 yards on punt returns. At the end of the 1953 season, Branoff was selected as the team's [Most Valuable Player](/source/Most_Valuable_Player). His selection marked the first time that a sophomore was selected for Michigan's Most Valuable Player award. ===1954 season=== As a junior in 1954, Branoff was slowed by a knee injury.{{cite news|title=BRANOFF LOST TO MICHIGAN FOR IOWA GAME|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=1954-10-06}} He played in the first two games of the season, but gained only 28 yards in 10 carries. He did not play in the [Iowa](/source/Iowa_Hawkeyes_football) and [Northwestern](/source/Northwestern_Wildcats_football) games. Head coach [Bennie Oosterbaan](/source/Bennie_Oosterbaan) said the loss of Branoff would be "a big blow" but noted that he would not permit Branoff to play against Iowa because, "we'd rather lose all our games this season than have him injured for the rest of his life. His bad knee will heal all right if we give him enough time to rest."{{cite news|title=Tony Branoff Lost For Iowa Contest|newspaper=Holland Evening Sentinel|date=1954-10-06}} Branoff attempted to come back from the injury in Michigan's homecoming game against [Minnesota](/source/Minnesota_Golden_Gophers_football), gaining 38 yards on 6 carries and scoring his only touchdown of the 1954 season.{{cite news|author=Charles Bartlett|title=Michigan Jars Minnesota, 34-0; Purdue Wins: BAER COUNTS 2 TOUCHDOWNS IN BIG 10 ROUT; Branoff Leads 2 Scoring Drives; JUGernaught|newspaper=Chicago Daily Tribune|date=1954-10-24|page=A1|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/515449202.html?dids=515449202:515449202&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+24,+1954&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Michigan+Jars+Minnesota,+34-0;+Purdue+Wins&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201141112/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/515449202.html?dids=515449202:515449202&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+24,+1954&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Michigan+Jars+Minnesota,+34-0;+Purdue+Wins&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2013}} The ''[Chicago Daily Tribune](/source/Chicago_Tribune)'' described Branoff's performance against Minnesota as follows:
"For the brief visits he made to the workyard, Tony Branoff, senior right half back who has been plagued with an ailing knee most of the season, was outstanding. Tony scored the first touchdown on successive smashes on 9 and 4 yards in the first quarter."
Branoff carried the ball only twice the following week against Indiana. In early November 1954, Branoff hospitalized due to his injured knee, and Michigan coach Oosterbaan announced that Branoff was lost for the season.{{cite news|title=Sports Briefs|newspaper=The Milwaukee Sentinel|date=1954-11-02|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=RW8xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=MRAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5610,5633062&dq=tony+branoff&hl=en}} Branoff believes he was the first football player to receive an injection of [cortisone](/source/cortisone). However, the cortisone did not resolve the cartilage problem in his knee, and he underwent knee surgery after the 1954 season. ===1955 season=== As a senior in 1955, Branoff returned to the lineup, starting all 9 games for the Wolverines at the right halfback position.{{cite web|title=1955 Football Team|publisher=University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library |url=https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fbteam/1955fbt.htm}}{{cite news|title=Tony Branoff Sparks Michigan's Attack|newspaper=Ironwood Daily Globe|date=1955-09-19}}("Branoff, playing with his left ankle still wrapped in protective tape, slammed his way to a pair of touchdowns Saturday to lead the Wolverine first stringers to a 47-6 scrimmage victory over the scrubs.") However, his mobility was limited because his knees were so heavily taped. He later recalled, "I was not the fastest player in the world, so I had to rely on being shifty. But you sort of lose your speed after you have operations and your knees need to be taped." At the end of October 1953, Branoff helped lead the Wolverines to a come-from-behind win against Iowa. Iowa led 21-13 in the fourth quarter, but Michigan scored three touchdowns in the final nine minutes of the game.{{cite news|title=Sport: The Will to Prepare|publisher=[Time](/source/Time_(magazine))|date=1955-11-07|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,807959,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081215045839/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,807959,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 15, 2008}} Branoff scored the final touchdown on a play described by the ''Chicago Daily Tribune'' as follows: "Tony Branoff, whose knees are wrapped like an Egyptian's mummy's, rounded out a fine performance with a 31 yard touchdown run that was only so much frosting on this triumph."{{cite news|author=Edward Prell|title=Michigan Beats Iowa, 33-21; Badgers, Illini Lose: Wolverines Win with 4th Period Rally|newspaper=Chicago Daily Tribune|date=1955-10-30|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/506853852.html?dids=506853852:506853852&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+30,+1955&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Michigan+Beats+Iowa,+33-21;+Badgers,+Illini+Lose&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103105419/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/506853852.html?dids=506853852:506853852&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Oct+30,+1955&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=Michigan+Beats+Iowa,+33-21;+Badgers,+Illini+Lose&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 3, 2012}} In early November 1955, Michigan lost its first game to Illinois by a score of 25-6. Branoff scored Michigan's only points with a 17-yard touchdown run in the second quarter and compiled 105 rushing yards on 17 carries for an average of 6.1 yards per carry.{{cite news|author=Maurice Shevlin|title=ILLINOIS' RALLY UPSETS MICHIGAN, 25-6: FIRST WOLVERINE LOSS!|newspaper=Chicago Daily Tribune|date=1955-11-06|page=A1|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/506890502.html?dids=506890502:506890502&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+06,+1955&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=ILLINOIS%27+RALLY+UPSETS+MICHIGAN,+25-6&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130201053739/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/506890502.html?dids=506890502:506890502&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Nov+06,+1955&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc=ILLINOIS'+RALLY+UPSETS+MICHIGAN,+25-6&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 1, 2013}} Despite the reduced mobility, Branoff was Michigan’s rushing leader for the second time in three years with 387 rushing yards, an average of 4.5 yards per carry, and 3 rushing touchdowns. After the 1955 season, Branoff was selected by the [United Press](/source/United_Press) as a first-team All-Big Ten halfback.{{cite news|title=Holland's Tom Maentz Selected By Coaches on All-Big 10 Team|newspaper=THE HOLLAND, MICHIGAN, EVENING SENTINEL|date=1955-11-22}} He was also selected to play in the [East–West Shrine Game](/source/East%E2%80%93West_Shrine_Game) and scored a touchdown on a 7-yard run left end run in the fourth quarter.{{cite news|title=Reichow Leads East Over West, 29 To 6|newspaper=Victoria Advocate |date=1956-01-01}} ==Professional football== Branoff was selected by the [Chicago Cardinals](/source/Chicago_Cardinals) in the 23rd round of the [1956 NFL draft](/source/1956_NFL_draft) and signed with the Cardinals in May 1956.{{cite news|title=Tony Branoff Signs With Football Cards|newspaper=Hartford Courant|date=1956-05-20}} He was also offered $16,000 to play in the [Canadian Football League](/source/Canadian_Football_League), but he chose not to play professional football, because of worry over the condition of his knees. He eventually had both knees replaced at age 65. ==Later years== After graduating from Michigan, Branoff worked in sales for 10 years. In 1966, he accepted a job with Cushing-Malloy book printers in Ann Arbor. He remained with the company for 37 years, retiring in 2003. In June 1956, Branoff was married to Marilyn Jane Frankensteen, daughter of former [United Auto Workers](/source/United_Auto_Workers) leader [Richard T. Frankensteen](/source/Richard_Frankensteen).{{cite news|title=Tony Branoff to Wed|newspaper=Hartford Courant (AP story)|date=1956-06-15|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/891503132.html?dids=891503132:891503132&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Jun+15,+1956&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Tony+Branoff+to+Wed&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714220100/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/courant/access/891503132.html?dids=891503132:891503132&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&type=historic&date=Jun+15,+1956&author=&pub=Hartford+Courant&desc=Tony+Branoff+to+Wed&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 14, 2012}} Branoff and his wife had three sons, Anthony Branoff, Jr., and twins, Terry and Timothy. He was divorced from his wife in 1972 and did not remarry. Branoff died at his home in Saline, Michigan on December 20, 2012, at the age of 78. He was buried at the Sunset Hills Cemetery in Flint.{{cite web |title=Antonios "Tony" Branoff |url=http://www.obitmichigan.com/Obituary/14772/Antonios%20%22Tony%22-Branoff |website=ObitMichigan |access-date=18 March 2024}} ==References== {{reflist|2}} {{Chicago Cardinals 1956 draft navbox}} {{Michigan Wolverines football rushing leaders}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Branoff, Tony}} Category:1934 births Category:2012 deaths Category:Flint Central High School alumni Category:Michigan Wolverines football players Category:American football halfbacks Category:Players of American football from Flint, Michigan Category:20th-century American sportsmen --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Tony Branoff](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Branoff) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Branoff?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.