The 1954 All-Pro Team consisted of the best players at each position among players in the

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...

as chosen by various selectors. The 1954 Cleveland Browns won the NFL championship. Five Cleveland players received first-team honors from at least one selector. Cleveland's honorees were: tackle

Lou Groza Louis Roy Groza (January 25, 1924 – November 29, 2000), nicknamed "the Toe", was an American professional American football, football Tackle (gridiron football position), offensive tackle and placekicker while playing his entire career for th ...

, guard

Abe Gibron Abraham Gibron (September 22, 1925 – September 23, 1997) was an American professional football player and coach. Gibron played 11 seasons as a guard in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and National Football League (NFL) in the 1940 ...

; quarterback

Otto Graham Otto Everett Graham Jr. (December 6, 1921 – December 17, 2003) was an American professional American football, football quarterback who played for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and National Football League ...

; defensive end

Len Ford Leonard Guy Ford Jr. (February 18, 1926 – March 14, 1972) was an American professional football player who was an offensive and defensive end from 1948 to 1958. He played college football for the University of Michigan and professional foot ...

; and defensive tackle

John Kissell John Jay "Big John" Kissell (May 14, 1923April 9, 1992) was an American football defensive tackle who played for the Buffalo Bills in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL) in ...

. Eight members of the Detroit Lions received first-team honors. The All-Pro selectors included: *

Associated Press The Associated Press (AP) is an American not-for-profit organization, not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association, and produces news reports that are dist ...

(AP) *

Newspaper Enterprise Association The Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) is an editorial column and comic strip newspaper syndication service based in the United States and established in 1902. The oldest syndicate still in operation, the NEA was originally a secondary new ...

(NEA), "chosen by balloters from all cities in the circuit" *

United Press United Press International (UPI) is an American international news agency whose newswires, photo, news film, and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines, radio and television stations for most of the 20th ...

(UP) * ''The Sporting News'' (TSN), selecting a single team of eleven players * New York ''Daily News'' (NYDN) Players receiving first-team honors from three of the five selectors are shown in bold.

Offense

Ends

Pete Pihos Peter Louis Pihos (; October 22, 1923 – August 16, 2011) was an American professional football player who was an end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). Pihos played college football as an end and fullback ...

, Philadelphia Eagles (AP, UP-1, TSN, NYDN-2) *

Harlon Hill Harlon Junius Hill (May 4, 1932 – March 21, 2013) was an American professional football end who played for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Hill played for the Chicago Bears, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Detroit Lions. ...

, Chicago Bears (NEA-1, UP-1, TSN, NYDN-1) * Bob Boyd, Los Angeles Rams (AP, NEA-1, UP-2, NYDN-1) *

Dorne Dibble Dorne Allen Dibble (April 16, 1929 – March 1, 2018) was an American football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions (1951, 1953–1957). He attended Michigan State. Dibble was the Lions' third-round draft pick in 1951 after starring at Michiga ...

, Detroit Lions (NEA-2) * Billy Wilson, San Francisco 49ers (NEA-2, UP-2, NYDN-2)

Tackles

Lou Creekmur Louis Creekmur (January 22, 1927 – July 5, 2009) was an American professional football offensive tackle who played for 10 years from 1950 to 1959 with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was inducted into the Pro Footb ...

, Detroit Lions (AP, NEA-2, UP-1, TSN, NYDN-1) *

, Cleveland Browns (AP, NEA-1, UP-1, TSN, NYDN-1) * Bob St. Clair, San Francisco 49ers (NEA-1, UP-2) * Ken Snyder, Philadelphia Eagles (NEA-2, UP-2, NYDN-2)

Guards

Dick Stanfel Richard Anthony Stanfel (July 20, 1927 – June 22, 2015) was an American professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a guard, and his college and professional career spanned more than 50 years fro ...

, Detroit Lions (AP, NEA-1, UP-1, NYDN-1) * Bruno Banducci, San Francisco 49ers (AP, UP-1, TSN, NYDN-1) *

, Cleveland Browns (NEA-1, UP-2) * George Connor, Chicago Bears (UP-2) *

Duane Putnam Duane Clifford Putnam (September 5, 1928 – March 21, 2016) was an American professional football player who was an offensive guard for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Pacific Tigers and wa ...

, Los Angeles Rams (NEA-2) * Marv Berschet, Washington Redskins (NEA-2)

Centers

Bill Walsh William Ernest Walsh (November 30, 1931 – July 30, 2007) was an American professional and college football coach. He served as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers and the Stanford Cardinal, during which time he popularized the West Coast off ...

, Pittsburgh Steelers (AP, NEA-1, UP-1, NYDN-2) * Bill Johnson, San Francisco 49ers (NEA-2, NYDN-1) *

Frank Gatski Frank "Gunner" Gatski (March 18, 1921 – November 22, 2005) was an American professional football center who played for the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football League (NFL) in the 1940s an ...

, Cleveland Browns (UP-2)

Quarterbacks

, Cleveland Browns (AP, NEA-2, UP-1, TSN ack NYDN-1) *

Bobby Layne Robert Lawrence Layne (December 19, 1926 – December 1, 1986) was an American professional football player who was a quarterback for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns before ...

, Detroit Lions (AP-2, NEA-1, UP-2) *

Norm Van Brocklin Norman Mack Van Brocklin (March 15, 1926 – May 2, 1983), nicknamed "the Dutchman", was an American professional football player, coach and executive. He played as a quarterback and punter in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons. ...

, Los Angeles Rams (NYDN-2)

Halfbacks

Doak Walker Ewell Doak Walker II (January 1, 1927 – September 27, 1998) was an American football player who was a halfback and kicker. He played college football for the SMU Mustangs, winning the Maxwell Award in 1947 and the Heisman Trophy in 1948. H ...

, Detroit Lions (AP, NEA-1, UP-1, TSN ack NYDN-1) *

Ollie Matson Ollie Genoa Matson II (May 1, 1930 – February 19, 2011) was an American Olympic medal winning sprinter and professional football player. He played as a halfback and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL) from 1952 t ...

, Chicago Cardinals (AP, NEA-1, UP-1, TSN ack NYDN-1 efensive halfback *

Hugh McElhenny Hugh Edward McElhenny Jr. (December 31, 1928 – June 17, 2022) was an American professional football halfback who played in the National Football League (NFL) from 1952 to 1964 for the San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, New York Giants ...

, San Francisco 49ers (NEA-2, UP-2, NYDN-1) *

John Henry Johnson John Henry Johnson (November 24, 1929 – June 3, 2011) was an American professional football player who was a fullback. His first stint was in Canada in the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU, a forerunner league to today's Canadia ...

, San Francisco 49ers (NEA-2, UP-2, NYDN-2) *

Billy Wells William Thomas Wells, better known as Bombardier Billy Wells (31 August 1889 – 12 June 1967), was an English heavyweight boxer. Fighting under the name "Bombardier Billy Wells", he was British and British Empire Champion from 1911 u ...

, Washington Redskins (NEA-2)

Fullbacks

* Joe Perry, San Francisco 49ers (AP, NEA-1, UP-1 TSN ack NYDN-1) *

Dan Towler Daniel Lee "Deacon" Towler (March 6, 1928 – August 1, 2001) was an American football player. He played in the National Football League (NFL) as a fullback for the Los Angeles Rams from 1950 through 1955. He was the NFL leading rusher in 1952 ...

, Los Angeles Rams (NEA-2) * Paul "Tank" Younger, Los Angeles Rams (UP-2) * Bill Bowman, Detroit Lions (NYDN-2)

Defense

Defensive ends

, Cleveland Browns (AP, NEA-1, UP-1, NYDN-1) * Norm Willey, Philadelphia Eagles (AP, NEA-1, UP-1, NYDN-1) *

Ed Sprinkle Edward Alexander Sprinkle (September 3, 1923 – July 28, 2014) was an American professional football defensive end and end who played for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He was known to many as "the Meanest Man in Pr ...

, Chicago Bears (NEA-2) *

Andy Robustelli Andrew Richard Robustelli (December 6, 1925 – May 31, 2011) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants. He played college football ...

, Los Angeles Rams (NEA-2, UP-2, NYDN-2) *

Leon Hart Leon Joseph Hart (November 2, 1928 – September 24, 2002) was an American football player. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, winning the Heisman Trophy and Maxwell Award in 1949. He also received All-American hon ...

, Detroit Lions (UP-2) * John Martinkovic, Green Bay Packers (NYDN-2)

Defensive tackles

Leo Nomellini Leo Joseph Nomellini (June 19, 1924 – October 17, 2000) was an Italian-American professional football player and professional wrestler. He played college football for the Minnesota Gophers and was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the ...

, San Francisco 49ers (AP, NEA-1, UP-1, NYDN-1) *

Art Donovan Arthur James "Fatso" Donovan Jr. (June 5, 1924 – August 4, 2013), was an American professional American football, football player who was a defensive tackle for three National Football League (NFL) teams, primarily the Baltimore Colts. He pla ...

, Baltimore Colts (AP, UP-1, NYDN-2) *

Ray Krouse Raymond Francis Krouse (March 21, 1927 – April 9, 1966) was an American professional football player who was a defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Colts and Washington ...

, New York Giants (NEA-2, NYDN-1) *

, Cleveland Browns (NEA-1) *

Dave Hanner Joel David "Hawg" Hanner, (May 20, 1930 – September 11, 2008) was an American professional football player, coach, and scout. Following a collegiate career with the Arkansas Razorbacks, in 1952 Hanner was drafted by the Green Bay Packers of ...

, Green Bay Packers (NEA-2) *

Ernie Stautner Ernest Alfred Stautner (April 20, 1925 – February 16, 2006) was a German-American professional football player and coach. He played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also served as a ...

, Pittsburgh Steelers (UP-2, NYDN-2) *

Don Colo Donald Richard Colo (January 5, 1925 – June 23, 2019) was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Cleveland Browns. He was born in East Bri ...

, Cleveland Browns (UP-2)

Middle guards

* Les Bingaman, Detroit Lions (AP, NEA-2, UP-1, TSN uard NYDN-1) *

Dale Dodrill Dale Fike Dodrill (February 7, 1926 – January 18, 2019) was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle for nine seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college footbal ...

, Pittsburgh Steelers (AP, NEA-1, UP-2, NYDN-2) *

Bucko Kilroy Francis Joseph Kilroy (May 30, 1921 – July 10, 2007), nicknamed "Bucko", was an American football player, executive and administrator. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. Early life Kil ...

, Philadelphia Eagles (UP-1) * Mike McCormack, Cleveland Browns (UP-2)

Linebackers

Chuck Bednarik Charles Philip Bednarik (May 1, 1925 – March 21, 2015), nicknamed "Concrete Charlie", was an American professional football linebacker and center who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn Quak ...

, Philadelphia Eagles (AP, UP-1, TSN

enter Enter or ENTER may refer to: * Enter key, on computer keyboards * Enter, Netherlands, a village * ''Enter'' (magazine), an American technology magazine for children 1983–1985 * ''Enter'' (Finnish magazine), a Finnish computer magazine * Enter ...

NYDN-1) *

Roger Zatkoff Roger Zatkoff (March 25, 1931 – November 4, 2021) was an American professional football player and businessman. A native of Hamtramck, Michigan, Zatkoff played college football for the Michigan Wolverines from 1950 to 1952 and was selected a ...

, Green Bay Packers (UP-1, NEA-1) * Joe Schmidt, Detroit Lions (AP, UP-2, NYDN-2) * Wayne Robinson, Philadelphia Eagles (NEA-1) *

Clayton Tonnemaker Frank Clayton "Clayt" Tonnemaker (June 8, 1928 – December 25, 1996) was an American professional football player who was a center and linebacker for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL) from 1950 to 1954. He played co ...

, Green Bay Packers (UP-2, NYDN-1) * Don Paul, Los Angeles Rams (NEA-2) * LaVern Torgeson, Detroit Lions (NEA-2, NYDN-2)

Defensive halfbacks

Tom Landry Thomas Wade Landry ( ; September 11, 1924 – February 12, 2000) was an American professional football coach, player, and World War II veteran. Regarded as one of the greatest head coaches of all time, he was the first head coach of the Dallas ...

, New York Giants (AP, NEA-1, UP-1, NYDN-2) * Jim David, Detroit Lions (AP-2, UP-1, NYDN-1) *

Night Train Lane Richard Lane (April 16, 1928 – January 29, 2002), commonly known as Dick "Night Train" Lane, was an American professional American football, football cornerback who played for 14 years in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the ...

, Chicago Cardinals (NEA-1, UP-2, NYDN-2) *

Warren Lahr Warren Emmett Lahr (September 5, 1923 – January 19, 1969) was an American professional football player who was a defensive back who played for the Cleveland Browns for 11 seasons, mainly in the 1950s. When he retired, he had the most care ...

, Cleveland Browns (NEA-2, UP-2) *

Tom Keane Thomas Lawrence Keane (September 7, 1926 – June 19, 2001) was an American professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes and West Virginia ...

, Baltimore Colts (NEA-2)

Safeties

Jack Christiansen Jack LeRoy Christiansen (December 20, 1928 – June 29, 1986) was an American professional football player who became a college and pro coach. He played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions as a safety and ...

, Detroit Lions (AP, NEA-1, UP-1, NYDN-1) *

Bobby Dillon Bobby Dan Dillon (February 23, 1930 – August 22, 2019) was an American professional American football, football player who spent his entire eight-year career as a Safety (gridiron football position), safety with the Green Bay Packers of the Na ...

, Green Bay Packers (AP efensive halfback NEA-1, NYDN-2) *

Emlen Tunnell Emlen Lewis Tunnell (March 29, 1924As noted in the "Early years" section below, reliable sources are substantially in dispute as to w whether Tunnell was born in 1922, 1923, 1924, or 1925. – July 23, 1975), nicknamed "the Gremlin", was an Ame ...

, New York Giants (NEA-2, UP-2, NYDN-1) *

Jerry Norton Jerry Ray Norton (May 16, 1931 – January 14, 2020) was an American professional football safety and punter in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys and Green Bay Packers. ...

, Philadelphia Eagles (NEA-2) *

Tommy James Tommy James (born Thomas Gregory Jackson; April 29, 1947) is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. James is the frontman of the rock band Tommy James and the Shondells, which is known for hit singles such as "Mony Mony", ...

, Cleveland Browns (NYDN-2)

References

External links

1954 NFL All-Pros – Pro-Football-Reference
{{DEFAULTSORT:1954 All-Pro Team All-Pro Teams 1954 NFL season