Dick Handley Explained

Dick Handley
Number:24
Position:Center, linebacker
Birth Date:22 May 1922
Birth Place:Tulare, California
Death Place:Fresno, California
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:215
High School:Corcoran (CA)
College:Fresno State
Pastteams:
Pfr:HandDi20
Statlabel1:Games
Statvalue1:14

Richard H. Handley (May 22, 1922  - February 8, 2012) was an American football player who played at the center and linebacker positions.

A native of Tulare, California, he attended Corcoran High School and then played college football for Visalia Junior College and the Fresno State Bulldogs.[1] [2] During World War II, he served in the United States Marine Corps and played football for the El Toro Flying Marines football team. After the war, he returned to Fresno State and received his degree in 1947.

He signed to play professional football in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) for the San Francisco 49ers but was traded to the Baltimore Colts. He played for the Colts during the 1947 season, appearing in a total of 14 AAFC games, three as a starter.[3]

Handley quit the Colts after one season to return to school, obtaining a master's degree in education. He served as Fresno State's freshman football coach in 1948. In 1949, he was hired as the head football coach Porterville College.[4] He later worked as a coach at Fresno City College and also served as an administrator from 1965 to 1978. In the 1970s, he developed a program at Fresno City College specializing in serving disadvantaged and physically handicapped students.[5] After retiring, he continued to live in Fresno.[6] He died in 2012 at age 89.[7]

Notes and References

  1. News: FSC Center Is Injured, May Be Out Two Weeks. The Fresno Bee. October 20, 1942. 12. Newspapers.com.
  2. News: Injured Bulldog Center Returns For Nevada Tilt. The Fresno Bee. November 5, 1942. 16. Newspapers.com.
  3. Web site: Dick Handley Stats. Sports Reference LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. March 24, 2021.
  4. News: Dick Handley Is Named Coach At Porterville JC. The Fresno Bee. August 19, 1949. 3B. Newspapers.com.
  5. News: Help for the Disadvantaged, Handicapped: CC's Attack On Dropout Rate. The Fresno Bee. Mike Lassiter. December 21, 1976. 25. Newspapers.com.
  6. News: Culinary profile: Richard Handley. The Fresno Bee. January 13, 1991. G3. Newspapers.com.
  7. News: Richard Handley. The Fresno Bee. February 12, 2012. C1. Newspapers.com.