Did any NFL players go to Yale?

By Edcel Panganiban May 20, 2023 11:49

When it comes to football, many people tend to think of the top schools such as Alabama, Ohio State, and Clemson. However, there are also some Ivy League schools that have produced NFL players, including Yale. Yes, you read that right. Yale University has had a few of its graduates go on to play in the NFL. In this article, we'll explore the history of Yale's football program and its NFL alumni.

Yale University, located in New Haven, Connecticut, has a long and storied football history. The program dates back to the 1800s, and the Yale Bulldogs have won 18 national championships, the most recent being in 1927. The team has also produced two Heisman Trophy winners, Larry Kelley and Clint Frank. Yale's 140-game win streak from 1887 to 1893 is still the longest in college football history.

Despite the school's prestigious football history, Yale is not known for producing NFL players. However, that doesn't mean that the school hasn't had any alumni make it to the pros. In fact, there have been a handful of Yale graduates who have played in the NFL.

One of the most notable NFL players from Yale is Calvin Hill. Hill played for Yale from 1965 to 1968 and was an All-Ivy League running back. He went on to play in the NFL for 12 seasons, spending time with the Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and Cleveland Browns. Hill was a four-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl with the Cowboys in 1972.

Another Yale alum who played in the NFL is Gary Fencik. Fencik played safety for Yale from 1973 to 1975 and was a two-time All-Ivy League selection. He went on to play for the Chicago Bears from 1976 to 1987, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl in 1985. Fencik is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.

There have also been a few other Yale graduates who have made it to the NFL, although not with the same level of success as Hill and Fencik. These include John Spagnola, a tight end who played for the Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles in the 1980s, and Nate Lawrie, a tight end who played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints in the early 2000s.

So why haven't there been more NFL players from Yale? One reason could be the school's academic requirements. Yale is one of the most prestigious universities in the world, and its admissions standards are among the highest in the country. This means that many talented football players may not meet the school's academic requirements, or may choose to attend other schools with less rigorous academic standards.

Another reason could be the level of competition in the Ivy League. While the Ivy League has a long and storied football history, it is not considered one of the top conferences in college football. This means that Ivy League players may not be scouted as heavily as players from other conferences, and may not have as many opportunities to showcase their skills to NFL teams.

In conclusion, while Yale is not known for producing NFL players, the school has had a few alumni make it to the pros. Calvin Hill and Gary Fencik are two of the most notable Yale NFL players, both enjoying long and successful careers in the league. While there may not be as many NFL players from Yale as there are from other schools, the school's prestigious academic reputation and rich football history make it a unique and respected institution in the world of college football.