Bob Hainlen

Robert Frederick Hainlen (born December 18, 1926) is a former American football quarterback. He played college football at Colorado A&M (now Colorado State) and was drafted by the Washington Redskins in the 19th round of the 1949 NFL Draft. He was sent to their farm team, the Wilmington Clippers before playing in an NFL game. He spent one season with Wilmington before they folded, ending his professional career. He is believed to be the last living member of the Clippers.

Bob Hainlen
No. 6
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1926-12-18) December 18, 1926
Trinidad, Colorado, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:175 lb (79 kg)
Career information
High school:Trinidad (CO)
College:Colorado State
NFL Draft:1949 / Round: 19 / Pick: 188
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
  • Wilmington Clippers (1949)
    Asst. head coach[1]
Career highlights and awards
Career AFL statistics
Games played:9
Games started:9
Pass attempts:137
Pass completions:48
Passing yards:564
Passing touchdowns:5
Player stats at NFL.com

Early life and education

Hainlen was born on December 18, 1926, in Trinidad, Colorado. He attended Trinidad High School before playing college football at Colorado A&M. In 1945, as a true freshman, Hainlen was named the Rams' starting quarterback, becoming the youngest starter in school history.[2]

In 1948, following a victory over the Wyoming Cowboys, the Fort Collins Coloradoan reported, "Lanky, Bobby Hainlen picked the cold and bleak setting of Corbett field here Saturday afternoon for his greatest football performance as he ran, passed, and kicked Colorado A & M to a 21-20 victory over the University of Wyoming."[3] Hainlen led the team's "passing, punting, and signal calling."[4] After being named second-team All-Rocky Mountain Conference, the Salt Lake Telegram wrote, "Bob Hainlen of Colorado wound up the season with what almost was a one-man one win over Colorado university, and his running, passing and kicking of field goals gave [Cannon] Parkinson a run for the spot on the first eleven."[5] He lost his final college game in the 1949 Raisin Bowl, 20–21, against Occidental.[6]

Professional career

Following his senior season of college Hainlen was selected in the 19th round (188th overall) of the 1949 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins.[7] He was given a contract in June.[8] He was sent to their farm team, the Wilmington Clippers, after not making the final roster. With Wilmington he started all but one of their games,[9] leading them to a 5–5 record and a playoff berth.[10] The Clippers lost in the first round of the playoffs, 0–66 against the Richmond Rebels.[11] Wilmington folded after the season, ending his professional career.

Statistically, Hainlen recorded 564 passing yards on 137 attempts, 48 being completed. He threw five touchdown passes and ten interceptions. As a rusher, he scored two touchdowns. On special teams, he made 44 punts.[9]

References
  1. "Bob Hainlen Coaching Record". Pro Football Archives.
  2. "- Sports – CSU SigEp (Section: Robert Frederick Hainlen)".
  3. "Hainlen Leads Rams to Thrilling Victory in Tight Game With Wyoming Cowboys". Fort Collins Coloradoan. October 17, 1948 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  4. "Colorado Ags Thrive on 'Insult'". The Des Moines Register. October 21, 1948 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  5. "Hainlen Finished Fast". Salt Lake Telegram. November 25, 1948 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  6. Klipple, Joe (January 2, 1949). "Hanna's Two Record-Breaking Runs Not Quite Enough as Aggies Lose". Fort Collins Coloradoan – via Newspapers.com. open access
  7. "1949 NFL Draft". Pro Football Archives.
  8. "Redskins Sign Bob Hainlen". The Baltimore Sun. June 24, 1949 – via Newspapers.com. open access
  9. "Bob Hainlen Stats". Pro Football Archives.
  10. "1949 Wilmington Clippers (AFL)". Pro Football Archives.
  11. "Nothing minor about it" (PDF). Pro Football Researchers Association. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-03-26 – via Wayback Machine.

Further reading
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