GOLDBERG, MARSHALL

GOLDBERG, MARSHALL ("Biggie ," "The Elkins Express ," "Mad Marshall ," the "Hebrew Hillbilly "; 1917– ), U.S. football player, starring in college at the University of Pittsburgh and in the nfl with the Chicago Cardinals, and member of College Football Hall of Fame. Goldberg was born and raised in Elkins, West Virginia, a town of five Jewish families in a community of 7,500 people. Goldberg's father, Saul, had immigrated from Uman, Romania, and ran a ladies' clothing store before becoming owner of the town's movie theater. Goldberg was a high school legend, captaining his school's football, basketball, and track teams in 1935, and was selected All-State in each sport. He led Pitt to a Rose Bowl title in 1936 after leading the nation in rushing with 886 yards, and to the National Championship the following year. Goldberg was named Grantland Rice All-America honorable mention in 1936, and a consensus All-America halfback in 1937 and fullback in 1938, finishing third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1937 and second in 1938. Goldberg ended his career at Pitt holding all the school's rushing records, including total rushing yards with 1,957. Goldberg then played with nfl Chicago Cardinals for eight years, and was considered the greatest defensive back of his time. He led the team to the nfl championship in 1947, and made all-pro at two positions – as a halfback in 1941 and as a defensive back in 1946, 1947, and 1948. Goldberg led the league in 1941 with seven interceptions, and in kickoff returns that year with a 24.2-yard average, and the following year with a 26.2-yard average. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1958.

[Elli Wohlgelernter (2^nd ed.)]