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Randy Duncan

Quarterback

Inducted 1997

Date of Birth

3/15/1937

Birthplace

Osage, IA

School

University of Iowa (1956-1958)

Bio

Randy Duncan was a winner throughout his career. It began at Roosevelt High School in Des Moines, Iowa. The football team had an undefeated season, and Duncan was an all-state quarterback in 1954. He also played basketball, was all-state, and his team was runner-up in the state tournament. He moved on to the University of Iowa. In his first varsity season, 1956, he was an understudy to the starting quarterback, Kenny Ploen. Iowa won the Big Ten championship and beat Oregon State in the Rose Bowl. Duncan was Iowa's starting quarterback in 1957 and 1958. The team had a record of 15-2-2 and in 1958 won the Big Ten championship and beat California 38-12 in the Rose Bowl. Duncan piled up these honors in 1958: Helms Foundation Player of the Year, Walter Camp Foundation Player of the Year, first in the nation in passing yardage, first in the nation in percentage of passes completed, co-leader in the nation in touchdown passes, and unanimous All-America. He was also runner-up to Pete Dawkins of Army in the Heisman Trophy voting. Duncan served in the U.S. Army in 1959. He was with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League in 1960. Then he returned to the University of Iowa and obtained a law degree. He set up a law practice in his home town of Des Moines. He also devoted time to jobs as chairman of the March of Dimes and the Cerebral Palsy Campaign; and president of the YMCA Boys Home.