Ameche, Alan D.
Football
b. June 1, 1933, Kenosha, WI
d. Aug. 8, 1988
6-0, 215, fullback. Pro football's first sudden death game was the NFL championship contest between the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants on December 28, 1958. The Colts had driven 79 yards to the Giants' 1-yard line. A field goal seemed the obvious decision, but instead Baltimore quarterback Johnny Unitas handed the ball to Alan "The Horse" Ameche, who scored the winning touchdown in a 23-17 victory.
Ameche was an All-American at the University of Wisconsin, where he played linebacker as well as fullback in those single-platoon days. In four years, he gained 3,212 yards, then the NCAA record, scored 25 touchdowns, and averaged 4.8 yards a carry. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1954.
He joined the Colts in 1955, when he was named Rookie of the Year and All-Pro fullback. The 6-foot, 215-pound Ameche was not only a strong, durable runner, he was also an excellent blocker who helped protect the valuable Unitas from blitzing linebackers.
In his six professional seasons, Ameche carried the ball 964 times for 4,045 yards, a 4.2 average, and scored 44 touchdowns. He also caught 101 passes.