American football player (1909–1987)
American football player
Philip Francis Flanagan (December 15, 1909 – October 7, 1987) was an American football guard. He was the 81st and last selection in the 1936 NFL draft.
Early life
Flanagan was born on December 15, 1909, in Clinton, Massachusetts.
He attended high school at Clinton High School before playing college football at Holy Cross.
College career
Flanagan spent 1932 to 1935 at Holy Cross, playing from 1933 to 1935.
Injury
In summer of 1935, Flanagan had an infected tooth that infected a gland. He was hospitalized for six weeks, being told that his football career was over.[1] The Worcester Telegram said that he "returned to college and surprised everyone by reporting for the football team."[1] It also stated that "At the time of his return to college Flanagan was scarcely able to open his mouth and was forced to live on liquids for some time."[1]
Post-Injury
He later played well enough to be named the team's starting guard, and was named to the College Football All-America Team following the 1935 season. He also earned a position on the college football all-East team.[2] He would later then be inducted into the Holy Cross Athletics Hall of Fame in 1974.[3]
Professional career
Flanagan was the final selection in the inaugural 1936 NFL draft by the New York Giants.[4] However, instead of playing with the Giants, he decided to join the Boston Shamrocks of the American Football League (AFL). With Boston he appeared in two games. It would be the only games of his career.
Death
Flanagan died on October 7, 1987, in Northampton, Massachusetts, at the age of 77.
References
