Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame | LeSean McCoy
BIOGRAPHY
Steve Van Buren
Halfback
Eagles Career: 1944-51 | Eagles Hall of Fame Induction: 1987 | Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee: 1965
The Eagles first round draft choice (5th overall) out of LSU in 1944, Van Buren signed his first contract ($4,000) with a team that had never finished above 4th place. Three straight division titles and back-to-back NFL Championships (1948 & 1949), he cemented his place as one of the most talented backs ever. Nicknamed "Wham-Bam" for his quick and punishing running style, he captured the NFL rushing title four times. In the 1948 title game vs. the Cardinals, he scored the game's only TD in a blinding snowstorm. A year later, he waded through mud and torrential rains in the Los Angeles Coliseum to rush for 196 yards vs. the Rams in the title game. His 205 yards rushing vs. Pittsburgh in 1949 is a club record. He finished his career with 5,860 rushing yards and 77 TDs. A 5-time all-pro, he was selected to the NFL's 75th Anniversary Team in 1994. Born December 28, 1920, in LaCeiba, Honduras.
YEAR-BY-YEAR
Steve Van Buren's game-winning TD in snow to win 1948 championship | NFL 100 Greatest Plays - No. 91
Steve Van Buren's game-winning touchdown in the 1948 championship game is No. 91 on the NFL 100 Greatest Plays list.
