14 Facts About Elmer Layden

Elmer Francis Layden was an American football player, coach, college athletics administrator, and professional sports executive.

Elmer Layden played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish where he starred at fullback as a member of the legendary "Four Horsemen" backfield.

Elmer Layden began his coaching career during the same two seasons at Columbia College in Dubuque, Iowa, now known as Loras College.

Elmer Layden then served as the head coach at Duquesne University from 1927 to 1933 and at his alma mater, Notre Dame, from 1934 to 1940, where he held the position of athletic director.

From 1941 to 1946, Elmer Layden was the commissioner of the National Football League.

Elmer Layden was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1951.

Elmer Layden was born in Davenport, Iowa, where he attended Davenport High School.

Elmer Layden was able to schedule a home-and-home series with Michigan after meeting with Fielding H Yost, healing a rift between the two schools.

Elmer Layden's appointment was not voted on by the entire league, which upset owners Alexis Thompson, Bert Bell, and Dan Topping.

Chicago Bears owner George Halas contended that Elmer Layden's hiring was legal because it had been agreed upon by a majority of owners.

Elmer Layden was signed to a five-year contract with an annual salary of $20,000.

In five years as Commissioner, Elmer Layden saw the NFL through the World War II years, in which teams had to use many men of inferior abilities as replacements while most of the regulars were fighting in the war.

Elmer Layden was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1951 as a charter member.

Elmer Layden married Edythe Davis on October 25,1926, who preceded him in death.