Allen, Joe

ID
3108
Nationality
American
Occupation
Professional football player
Sports
Summary
Said to be the first deaf man to quarterback a pro football team, when he played for the Sandusky [OH] Maroons 1926-1930. He communicated with his teammates via simple hand signals, and clapped his hands to set up a cadence and count prior to the snap of the ball. Since he did not speak, he called signals by pointing to numbers printed on his pants leg.
Dates
fl. 1930