Paul Governali Explained

Paul Governali
Number:4, 41
Position:Quarterback
Birth Date:5 January 1921
Birth Place:The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Death Place:San Diego, California, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:194
High School:Evander Childs
(Bronx, New York)
College:Columbia (1940–1942)
Draftyear:1943
Draftround:1
Draftpick:4
Pastteams:
Pastcoaching:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Passing attempts
Statvalue1:500
Statlabel2:Passing completions
Statvalue2:218
Statlabel3:Completion percentage
Statvalue3:43.6%
Statlabel4:TDINT
Statvalue4:31–33
Statlabel5:Passing yards
Statvalue5:3,348
Statlabel6:Passer rating
Statvalue6:59.5
Pfr:G/GovePa20
Collegehof:1609

Paul Vincent Governali (January 5, 1921 – February 14, 1978), nicknamed "Pitchin' Paul", was an American football player and coach. He played college football for the Columbia Lions, where he played as a halfback. He was a consensus All-American in 1942, won the Maxwell Award and was runner-up to Frank Sinkwich for the Heisman Trophy. Governali passed for 1,442 yards in nine games that season, threw for 19 touchdowns, and completed 52% of his passes, all new collegiate records. He was also among the leading punters in the nation. He still holds the Columbia Lions record for touchdown passes in one game, with five. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

Professional career

Upon graduating in 1943, he passed up offers from both professional baseball and football teams to enlist in the United States Marine Corps, where he served for three years. After the war, he played play in the National Football League (NFL) from 1946 to 1948 with Boston Yanks and the New York Giants.

After football

Governali retired from playing following the 1948 season and returned to Columbia, where he worked as an assistant coach while pursuing his doctorate in education, which he received in 1951.

Head coaching career

He served as the head football coach at San Diego State University from 1956 to 1960, compiling a record of 11–27–4. He was succeeded as head coach of the San Diego State Aztecs by Don Coryell.

Personal life

Governali also had a minor stint as an actor, portraying a professional football player in the 1948 film titled, Triple Threat.[1]

He and his wife, Edna, had four children: Paul, Jeannie, Nicole, and Sam.

Death

Governali died on February 14, 1978, at Kaiser Hospital, in San Diego, following a long illness.[2]

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: . Top Grid Stars Appear In Picture "Triple Threat" . . . November 28, 1948 . 3B . March 25, 2023 . .
  2. News: . Paul Governali, at 56, football star in 40s . . . February 16, 1978 . 45 . March 25, 2023 . .