Robert James (Hunchy) Hoernschemeyer

Robert James “Hunchy” Hoernschemeyer

Detroit Lions Player (1950 – 1955)

Hunchy Hoernschemeyer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and attended Elder High School where he became an All-City football player. He attended Indiana University for two very successful seasons before playing for the U.S. Naval Academy during the 1945 season where he quarterbacked the Midshipmen to a 7 – 1 – 1 record and the #3 National ranking. He then went on to play for the Chicago Rockets of the All-American Football Conference (AAFC). Over the next three seasons he played for two other franchises in the AAFC and when the AAFC folded after the 1949 season, he was the league record holder for total offense. In 1950 he was selected by the Detroit Lions where he would finish the remaining six years of his career. He helped the Lions win the NFL Championship in 1952 and 1953 as he was the leading rusher for his first four seasons and was named to two Pro Bowls. Hunchy Hoernschemeyer was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1985. He passed away on June 18, 1980 at 54 years of age.