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Ed Marinaro

Running Back

Inducted 1991

Date of Birth

3/31/1950

Birthplace

New York, NY

School

Cornell University (1969-1971)

Bio

Ed Marinaro played 27 games for Cornell, 1969-1971, and averaged 174.6 rushing yards per game. That tops O. J. Simpson, Herschel Walker, Tony Dorsett and many other great running backs. Marinaro had ten games in which he exceeded 200 yards; this includes, in 1969, 245 against Rutgers, 281 against Harvard; in 1970, 260 against Lehigh; in 1971, 272 against Columbia, 260 against Colgate. In 1971 his average was 209 a game, an NCAA record that lasted ten years. That year he led the nation in scoring, rushing and all-purpose running. As a sophomore he was a third-team All-America. He was a first-team All-America twice and in 1971 won the Maxwell Trophy and was named Player of the Year by Columbus, Cleveland and Washington Touchdown Clubs. He was named to the Ivy League Silver Anniversary Team. Then came six years as a pro with the Vikings, Jets and Seahawks. He moved to Hollywood and became a star actor. His most famous role was as Joe Coffey in "Hill Street Blues."