University of Illinois Athletics

FOOTBALL | TRACK & FIELD • 1944-46

Buddy Young was a football and track star for Illinois. At just 5’4" Young, also known as the "Bronze Bullet," had exceptional quickness and acceleration. On the track, he won NCAA titles in the 100 and 220-yard dashes, tied the world record for the 45 and 60-yard dashes (6.1 in the latter), and was the AAU 100-meter champion. Inducted as a member of College Football Hall of Fame in 1968. He was drafted by the Navy following his All-American freshman season and played for a service team. After his stint in the Navy, Young returned to Illinois and helped the Illini win the 1946 Big Ten football title and 1947 Rose Bowl against UCLA, where he earned Co-MVP honors. He later was named to the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. Young was a trailblazer as one of the first African-American players in NFL. He played 10 years of pro football and was the first Baltimore Colt to have his number retired. In 1966, Young the first African-American executive hired by the NFL. At his death in 1983 in a car accident, Young was 56 years old and Director of Player Relations for the NFL.