Ace Parker

Bio

In high school, Clarence "Ace" Parker won 16 letters in five sports, football, basketball, baseball, track, and golf. He enrolled at Duke University and competed in football, basketball, and baseball. In 1935, he averaged 7.4 yards rushing and had runs of 57, 54, 34, and 30 yards. He punted for an average of 46.7 yards. In 1936, his consensus All-America year, he had a 105-yard kickoff return against North Carolina, a 70-yard punt return against North Carolina State, and runs of 78, 73, 50, and 27 yards. His punting average was 42.2, and that included 11 times he kicked out of bounds inside the 10-yard line. That season he also placed sixth in the Heisman voting. Ace Parker had a pro career in two sports. He played 94 games as a shortstop for the Philadelphia Athletics 1937-38. He played pro football for Brooklyn, Boston, and the New York teams 1937-41, 1945-46. He was a lieutenant in the Navy in World War II. After his playing days, he was head baseball coach and assistant football coach at Duke. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955, the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972.

Career Highlights

• 1936 All-Conference
• 1936 Consensus All-America
• 1936 Heisman - Sixth
• 1935 All-Conference
• 1935 Second Team All-America