Benny Friedman

Bio

Michigan quarterback Benny Friedman and end Bennie Oosterbaan were one of the game's first great passing combinations. With Oosterbaan making circus catches off Friedman's soft throws, Michigan roared from behind to beat Ohio State 17-16 in a pivotal game for the 1926 conference title. The two Bennies also led Michigan to a Big Ten title in 1925. "He never makes a mistake", Yost said while watching Friedman capture consensus All America honors in 1925 and 1926. He had poise and remarkable ability. The handsome son of a Cleveland, Ohio tailor, Friedman went on to play professional football, first in his hometown of Cleveland and then in Detroit before finishing up his career in New York for six seasons with the gridiron Giants and Dodgers. Friedman hated to lose, and his combativeness, wild inventiveness and determination to win drew thousands of fans Sunday after Sunday. In all of his years as a player, college or pro, Friedman never suffered an injury and never missed a game.

Career Highlights

• 1926 All-Conference
• 1926 Conference MVP
• 1926 Consensus All-America
• 1925 All-Conference
• 1925 Consensus All-America