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| No. 12 | |
| Date of birth | (1931-07-07)July 7, 1931 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Montgomery, Alabama, U.S. |
| Date of death | April 21, 1973(1973-04-21) (aged 41) |
| Place of death | Big Sur, California, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| CFL status | International |
| Position(s) | QB |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
| Weight | 185 lb (84 kg) |
| US college | Chattanooga |
| NFL draft | 1953 / round: 9 / pick: 104 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1953 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1956–1958 | Ottawa Rough Riders |
| 1961–1965 | Winnipeg Blue Bombers |
| Career stats | |
| |
Harold "Hal" Ledyard (July 7, 1931 – April 21, 1973) was a professionalgridiron football player in theNational Football League (NFL) andCanadian Football League (CFL).
After backing up futurePro Football Hall of FamerY. A. Tittle in 1953, Ledyard joined theUnited States Army, where he played quarterback for theFort Jackson base football team in 1955.[1] Ledyard joined theOttawa Rough Riders in 1956 and spent three seasons as the team's starting quarterback before being replaced byFrank Tripucka before the 1959 season.[2] Ledyard signed with theToronto Argonauts in 1959,[3] but was waived before the season began.[4][2]
Following his release, Ledyard joined the Sarnia Golden Bears of theOntario Rugby Football Union,[2] a semi-pro football league based in Canada. He threw for 1142 yards and eight touchdown passes and helped the team win the 1959 league championship. The following year he led all ORFU passers with 1402 yards and 15 touchdown passes, but Sarnia finished last in the league with a 3-7 record.
Ledyard returned to the CFL in 1961 with theWinnipeg Blue Bombers, splitting playing time withDick Thornton and futureCanadian Football Hall of FamerKen Ploen. During his time in Winnipeg, Ledyard was known as "The best relief pitcher in football"[5][6] due to his success relieving Ploen. He was a part of the Blue Bomber teams that won the49th and50th Grey Cups.
Hal Ledyard is the father of retired professional hockey playerGrant Ledyard.
Ledyard died April 21, 1973, in a drowning accident at Big Sur.[7]