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Les Horvath

Halfback

Inducted 1969

Date of Birth

10/12/1921

Birthplace

South Bend, IN

Schools

Ohio State University (1940-1942)

Ohio State University (1944-1944)

Bio

Les Horvath, the son of immigrant parents from Hungary, grew up in Cleveland. He lettered in football at Ohio State in 1940, 1941, 1942 and 1944. Horvath was right halfback on the 1942 national championship team. In 1943, he was in dental school and not eligible for football. In 1944, the rules were changed, and Horvath joined the Ohio State team as a tailback in the single wing and quarterback in the T formation. Ohio State went 9-0, won the Big Ten and ranked second nationally. Horvath rushed for 905 yards and passed for 345. He ranked second in the nation in rushing, third in total offense, was unanimous All-America, Most Valuable Player in the Big Ten, and won the Heisman Trophy. He graduated from dental school in 1945, joined the Navy as an ensign, and was discharged in July, 1947. Horvath played three years of pro football, 1947-49, then practiced dentistry in Los Angeles