Lou Abbruzzi

Lou Abbruzzi
Profile
PositionsHalfback, defensive back
Personal information
Born(1917-08-03)August 3, 1917
Warren, Rhode Island
DiedDecember 6, 1982(1982-12-06) (aged 65)
Newport, Rhode Island
Career information
CollegeRhode Island
NFL draft: Free Agent Green Bay 1941, Boston Yanks 1946th round
Career history
1946Boston Yanks
Awards and highlights
  • All Small New England 1938-40
  • All New England 1938
  • HM Little All-American 1938, 1939.
Stats at Pro Football Reference

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

  1. ^ a b c d "Louis J. Abbruzzi (1973) - Hall of Fame". University of Rhode Island. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  2. ^ "Duke Abbruzzi Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 8, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c "1931 thru 1949 archive photos". Warren Athletic Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 8, 2025.