Hall of Fame
Russell was a two-sport athlete at Miami from 1942-44, earning two letters in football and one in basketball. A two-year starting quarterback on the gridiron, Russell earned United Press All-Ohio honors in 1943 as Miami went on to an Ohio College Co-Championship. He was a captain for the football team in 1943, which posted a 7-2-1 mark.
At a time when the forward pass was evolving the game of football, Russell was considered one of the best forward passers in the country and was being courted by teams in the National Football League.
Russell's collegiate career was interrupted by World War II and a severe injury upon his return to Miami in 1946 cut his athletic career short.
