Back to search

Beattie Feathers

Halfback

Inducted 1955

Date of Birth

8/20/1908

Birthplace

Bristol, VA

School

University of Tennessee (1931-1933)

Bio

Beattie Feathers scored 32 touchdowns in 30 games for Tennessee, 1931-33. Tennessee had a 25-3-2 record in that time. Beattie's career rushing total, 1,888 yards, lasted 37 years as the school record. He was a consensus All-America halfback and Southeastern Conference Most Valuable Player in 1933. His longest touchdown runs: 1931 - 60, 75, 80 yards vs. Mississippi, 70 vs. Kentucky, 65 vs. Duke, 65 vs. New York University 1932 - 54 vs. North Carolina, 33 vs. Mississippi. 1933 - 43 and 33 vs. Virginia Tech. In 1932, he averaged 46 yards on 23 punts in a driving rain against Alabama. In 1933, he made a 76-yard punt against Florida. Beattie played professionally 1934-40, and in his rookie year with the Chicago Bears set a pro record by averaging 9.9 yards per carry in rushing. He was head football coach at Appalachian State, 1942, and North Carolina State 1944-51. Then came 24 years at Wake Forest as head baseball and assistant football coach. He was a teammate of Gene McEver, another Hall of Fame halfback, in both high school and in college.