Lou Abbruzzi
| Date of birth | August 3, 1917 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Warren, Rhode Island |
| Date of death | December 6, 1982 (aged 65) |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Halfback, defensive back |
| US college | Rhode Island |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1946 | Boston Yanks |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Awards | All Small New England 1938-40, All New England 1938, HM Little All-American 1938, 1939. |
Louis John "Duke" Abbruzzi (August 3, 1917 – December 6, 1982) was an American football, basketball and baseball player.[1][2]
Early career
Born in Warren, Rhode Island,[1] Abbruzzi attended Warren High School where he received 'All State' recognition on six occasions in all three sports: football, basketball and baseball.[3]
Sports cartoonist Frank Lanning dubbed him the 'Duke of Warren' in his illustrations published in the Providence Journal. [3]
Professional career
Returning from his service in the US Army, Abbruzzi spent one season with the Boston Yanks of the National Football League (NFL) as a special teams player and tailback.[3] He accounted for 229 all-purpose yards, 26 rushing yards from 6 carries, 55 receiving yards on 2 receptions, 147 yards on 8 kick off returns and completed one pass for 11 yards.
Coaching
In addition to participating in the sports, Abbruzzi also coached later in this career. He coached DeLaSalle Academy, Rogers High and Thompson Junior High, Newport. [1] In 1971 the team he coached at Rogers High won the state baseball championship.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d "Louis J. Abbruzzi (1973) - Hall of Fame". University of Rhode Island. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ "Duke Abbruzzi Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
- ^ a b c "1931 thru 1949 archive photos". Warren Athletic Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 8, 2025.