Elroy "Crazy Legs" Hirsch, a pro football Hall of Famer and later the athletic director at the University of Wisconsin, died Wednesday. He was 80.
Hirsch died of natural causes at an assisted living facility, according to Wisconsin assistant AD Steve Malchow.
"There has never been a more loved and admired ambassador for Wisconsin sports than Elroy Hirsch," Wisconsin athletic director Pat Richter said.
Hirsch earned his nickname for his running style as a halfback and receiver for the NFL's Los Angeles Rams from 1949-1957. Before that, he played for the Chicago Rockets of the All-America Football Conference.
Hirsch became a key part of the Rams' revolutionary "three-end" offense in 1949. His best season was 1951, when he led the NFL with 66 catches, 1,495 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns.
In college, Hirsch starred at Wisconsin for one season, then completed his career at Michigan.
Hirsch's No. 40 is one of four numbers retired at Wisconsin. In his one season with the Badgers in 1942, he rushed for 786 yards and Wisconsin went 8-1-1.
"His charismatic and charming personality brought smiles to so many Badger fans," Richter said. "He loved life, loved people and loved the Badgers."
Chicago Daily New sports writer Francis Power gave Hirsch his nickname in 1942 when he described his style as a "demented duck" whose "crazy legs were gyrating in six different directions all at the same time" during one touchdown run.
Hirsch was assigned to Michigan for schooling in 1943 while serving in the US Marine Corps.
He became the only athlete in Michigan history to win letters in four major sports in the same year, doing it in football, basketball, baseball and track.
He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968 and served as Wisconsin's athletic director from 1969-1987.
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