| No. 17, 16 | |
.jpg) Galiffa in July 1955[a] | |
| Born: | (1927-01-29)January 29, 1927 Donora, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Died: | September 5, 1978(1978-09-05) (aged 51) Glenview, Illinois, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| CFL status | American |
| Position(s) | QB |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | 193 lb (88 kg) |
| College | Army (1946–1949) |
| High school | Donora (PA) |
| NFL draft | 1950, round: 18, pick: 225 |
| Drafted by | Green Bay Packers |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1953 | New York Giants |
| 1954 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1955–1956 | BC Lions |
| 1956 | Toronto Argonauts |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Career stats | |
| Passing (NFL) | 7–25 (28.0%) |
| TD–INT (NFL) | 1–5 |
| Rush TD (NFL) | 0 |
| Passing (CFL) | 412–715 (57.6%) |
| TD–INT (CFL) | 42–35 |
| Rush TD (CFL) | 2 |
Arnold Anthony Galiffa (January 29, 1927 – September 5, 1978) was an American professionalfootball player who was aquarterback in theNational Football League (NFL) andCanadian Football League (CFL). He playedcollege football for theArmy Black Knights, then played professionally in both the NFL and CFL. He was inducted to theCollege Football Hall of Fame in 1983.
Galiffa was born in and attended high school inDonora, Pennsylvania.[b] There, he played several sports and earned all-state honors in basketball and football; he graduated in 1945.[2] In January 1946, Galiffa received an appointment to theUnited States Military Academy inWest Point, New York; at the time, he was already aprivate in theUnited States Army.[3]
Galiffa played multiple sports for theArmy Cadets, as they were then known, earning a total of 11varsity letters:[4] four in baseball, four in basketball, and three in football.[5] For the four seasons he played football, 1946–1949, Army posted records of 9–0–1, 5–2–2, 8–0–1, and 9–0 for an aggregate record of 31–2–4 (.892) under head coachEarl Blaik. Galiffa was named to the1949 All-Eastern football team,[6] and was a consensus selection to the1949 College Football All-America Team.[7]
Galiffa graduated from West Point in June 1950, and was married that month to Margaret "Peggy" Perdok.[8] Galiffa went on to serve as asecond lieutenant during theKorean War.[4]
After his military service, Galiffa played four seasons of professional football. He played in theNFL for the1953 New York Giants, appearing in three games, and the1954 San Francisco 49ers, appearing in four games.[9] He next played in theCFL for two season. With theBC Lions, he played 14 games in 1955 but was released after one game in 1956, as the team opted to useTony Teresa as their quarterback.[9][10]
Galiffa was then signed by theToronto Argonauts, who needed a new quarterback due to injury.[11] In 12 games with the1956 Toronto Argonauts, he passed for 3,682 yards and 32 touchdowns.[9] Galiffa did not play professionally after 1956.
Outside of football, Galiffa worked forU.S. Steel for 23 years in operational staff services.[4] In November 1957, he won a seat on theborough council in his hometown of Donora;[12] as of February 1963, he was president of the council.[13]
Galiffa died from cancer in September 1978,[14] and was survived by his wife and three children.[4]
Galiffa was inducted to theCollege Football Hall of Fame in 1983,[15] and theArmy Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.[5]
