Otto Ole Schnellbacher (April 15, 1923 – March 10, 2008) was an American football defensive back in the National Football League for the New York Giants. He was a 2-time Pro Bowler. Also a professional basketball player, Schnellbacher played for the Basketball Association of America's Providence Steamrollers and St. Louis Bombers in 1948–49.
![]() Schnellbacher on a 1951 Bowman football card | |||||||
Personal information | |||||||
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Born: | (1923-04-15)April 15, 1923 Sublette, Kansas | ||||||
Died: | March 10, 2008(2008-03-10) (aged 84) Topeka, Kansas | ||||||
Career information | |||||||
College: | Kansas | ||||||
Position: | Defensive back | ||||||
NFL Draft: | 1947 / Round: 25 / Pick: 231 (by the Chicago Cardinals) | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
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Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||
In college, Schnellbacher was a two-sport star at the University of Kansas, earning him the nickname "the double threat from Sublette". On the gridiron, Schnellbacher, along with teammate Ray Evans, was KU's first football All-American in 1947. That same season, Schnellbacher led the Jayhawks to a Big 6 conference title and an Orange Bowl berth. Schnellbacher also excelled in basketball, where he was a four-time first-team all-conference selection (one of only three Jayhawks to do so). He was a member of the 1943 Big Six conference championship team (which also featured All-American teammates Charles B. Black and the aforementioned Ray Evans) that is regarded as one of the program's greatest teams.
Schnellbacher died at the age of 84 from cancer.[1]
Legend | |||||
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GP | Games played | FG% | Field-goal percentage | ||
FT% | Free-throw percentage | APG | Assists per game | ||
PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high | ||
Year | Team | GP | FG% | FT% | APG | PPG |
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1948–49 | Providence | 23 | .288 | .630 | .8 | 4.4 |
1948–49 | St. Louis | 20 | .364 | .696 | 2.3 | 8.7 |
Career | 43 | .332 | .669 | 1.5 | 6.4 | |
Year | Team | GP | FG% | FT% | APG | PPG |
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1949 | St. Louis | 2 | .300 | .500 | 3.0 | 9.0 |
Career | 2 | .300 | .500 | 3.0 | 9.0 | |
Chicago Cardinals 1947 NFL draft selections | |
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NFL annual interceptions leaders | |
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