1951 All-Pro Team

The 1951 All-Pro Team consisted of American football players in the National Football League (NFL) chosen as best at their position for the 1951 NFL season. Several rival journalistic organizations named All-Pro teams in 1951, there was no official league honor by that designation.

Background

The 1951 NFL All-Pro Team is something of a misnomer. This was not an official league-sponsored honor, nor was the team a single entity. In fact, several different rival journalistic institutions — all independent of the NFL — each named their own All-Pro Teams following the conclusion of play in the 1951 NFL season.

The first of the three most important 1951 All-Pro teams was announced on December 19 by the United Press (UP). With the NFL's permanent adoption of the free substitution rule on January 23, 1950, it was clear by this date to virtually all observers that "the days of the 30- and 60-minute player" were "apparently doomed." Consequently full offensive and defensive units were named by the UP for the first time — a 22-man roster.

Offensively, the UP followed the conventional lineup of the day, selecting two ends, two offensive tackles, two guards, a center, a quarterback, two halfbacks, and a fullback.

On the defensive side the UP selected two defensive ends, two defensive tackles, two middle guards, two linebackers, two defensive halfbacks, and one safety.

First- and second-team squads were named for each of these positions. No specialist players such as kickers, punters, or kick returners were named.

The rival Associated Press (AP), making its selections via a poll of "AP sportswriters in each city where the pros played," announced its elections early in January 1952. The 1951 season similarly marked the first time that both offensive and defensive teams were named by the AP. No "second team" was named, rather a more expansive "honorable mention" list was published.

The third, and least prestigious, of the major All-Pro teams was chosen by the staff of the New York Daily News.

Selections

The All-Pro selections were dominated by players from the Cleveland Browns (nine first-team honorees including Otto Graham and Lou Groza), New York Giants (seven honorees including Emlen Tunnell), Los Angeles Rams (six first-team honorees including Elroy Hirsch), and Detroit Lions (four first-team honorees including Doak Walker).

Consensus first-team All-Pros (13) marked with bold type.

Offensive selections Position Player Team Selector(s) Quarterback Otto Graham Cleveland Browns AP-1, UP-1, NYDN-1 Quarterback Bob Waterfield Los Angeles Rams UP-2, NYDN-2 Halfback Doak Walker Detroit Lions AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Halfback Dub Jones Cleveland Browns AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Halfback Joe Geri Pittsburgh Steelers UP-2, NYDN-1 Fullback Dan Towler Los Angeles Rams UP-1, NYDN-1 Fullback Eddie Price New York Giants AP, UP-2 Fullback John "Kayo" Dottley Chicago Bears UP-2 End Elroy Hirsch Los Angeles Rams AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 End Dante Lavelli Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1 End Leon Hart Detroit Lions AP, UP-1 [def. end] Tackle George Connor Chicago Bears AP, UP-1 [def. tackle], NYDN-1 Tackle Tex Coulter New York Giants UP-1, NYDN-1 Tackle Lou Groza Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1 Tackle Leo Nomellini San Francisco 49ers AP Guard Lou Creekmur Detroit Lions AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Guard Dick Barwegen Chicago Bears AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Center Frank Gatski Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1 Center Vic Lindskog Philadelphia Eagles AP

Defensive selections Position Player Team Selector(s) Defensive end Len Ford Cleveland Browns AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Defensive end Larry Brink Los Angeles Rams AP Defensive tackle Arnie Weinmeister New York Giants AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Defensive tackle Al Derogatis New York Giants AP Defensive guard Bill Willis Cleveland Browns AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Defensive guard Les Bingaman Detroit Lions AP Defensive guard Jon Baker New York Giants UP-1 Defensive guard Stan West Los Angeles Rams UP-2 Linebacker Chuck Bednarik Philadelphia Eagles AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Linebacker Tony Adamle Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1 Linebacker Paul "Tank" Younger Los Angeles Rams AP Defensive halfback Otto Schnellbacher New York Giants AP, UP-1, NYDN-1 Defensive halfback Warren Lahr Cleveland Browns UP-1, NYDN-1 Defensive halfback Jerry Shipkey Pittsburgh Steelers AP Safety Emlen Tunnell New York Giants AP, UP-1, NYDN-1

AP Honorable Mentions

Offense

• Ends - Francis Polsfoot (Cardinals); Bob Mann (Packers); Dante Lavelli (Browns); Bob Walston (Eagles).
• Tackles - Bill Fischer (Cardinals); Paul Lipscomb (Redskins); Lou Groza (Browns).
• Guards - Abe Gibron (Browns); Bruno Banducci (49ers); Casimir Witucki (Redskins).
• Center - Frank Gatski (Browns).
• Backs - Bob Waterfield (Rams); Bob Hoernschemeyer (Lions); Dan Towler (Rams); Rob Goode (Redskins); Joe Geri (Steelers); Joe Perry (49ers); John Dottley (Bears); Bob Celeri (Yanks).

Defense

• Defensive Ends - Ed Sprinkle (Bears); Ray Poole Giants.
• Defensive Tackles - John Kissell (Browns); Mike McCormack (Yanks).
• Middle Guards - Visco Grgich (49ers); Alex Agase (Browns).
• Linebackers - Tony Adamle (Browns); Tommy Thompson (Browns).
• Defensive Halfbacks - Howard Hartley (Steelers); Don Doll (Lions); Harry Gilmer (Redskins); Jack Christiansen (Lions).
• Safety - Buddy Young (Yanks).