Leo Cantor

Leo "the Lion" Cantor (February 28, 1919 – June 4, 1995) was an American football defensive back.[1] He was the 1937 Los Angeles All-City quarterback, played college football for the UCLA Bruins, and played in the National Football League for the New York Giants in 1942 and for the Chicago Cardinals in 1945.

Leo Cantor
Position:Running Back
Personal information
Born:(1919-02-28)February 28, 1919
Chicago, Illinois
Died:June 4, 1995(1995-06-04) (aged 76)
Los Angeles, California
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Los Angeles (CA) Theodore Roosevelt
College:UCLA
Career history

Biography

Cantor was born in Chicago, Illinois, and was Jewish.[2][1][3] His older brother was UCLA football player Izzy Cantor.[3][4] He attended Theodore Roosevelt High School in Los Angeles, where he was the 1937 Los Angeles All-City quarterback and leading scorer, playing in the Northern League.[5][3][4]

He played football at halfback for the UCLA Bruins in 1938-40.[6][7][8]

Cantor played for the New York Giants in 1942 and, after serving in the US Army during World War II, for the Chicago Cardinals in 1945.[9][8][10][11][5] In 1945 he led the Cardinals in interceptions (5 for 70 yards) and rushing touchdowns (5) and yards/passing attempt (6.44), was second in rushing (83 times for 291 yards) and kick returns (6 for 123 yards), and was third in receptions (15 for 159 yards).[12]

In 1945 and 1946 Cantor played for the Hollywood Bears of the Pacific Coast Professional Football League (PCFL), and in 1948 he played for the Bears and for the Los Angeles Bulldogs of the PCFL.[5]

In 1996 Cantor was inducted into the Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.[8]

References
  1. Strode, Woody; Young, Sam (1993). Goal Dust: The Warm and Candid Memoirs of a Pioneer Black Athlete and Actor. Madison Books – via Google Books.
  2. "Leo Cantor Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  3. "Brins Land Leo Cantor". The Los Angeles Times. March 16, 1938. p. 29.
  4. "Another Angle on Leo Cantor Case". The Los Angeles Times. March 18, 1938. p. 30.
  5. "Leo Cantor". Pro Football Archives.
  6. Wilbur D. Jones, Jr. (2009). "Football! Navy! War!"; How Military "Lend-Lease" Players Saved the College Game and Helped Win World War II
  7. "Leo Cantor Stats, News & Video - DB". NFL.com.
  8. "LEO CANTOR; Football - 1996". Southern California Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
  9. "WW II Honor Roll - Online Exhibits". Pro Football Hall of Fame.
  10. "Leo Cantor Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  11. "Leo Cantor, DB". Nfl.com. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  12. "1945 Chicago Cardinals Stats".
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