Downes, Noah

Graduated the Maryland School for the Deaf, 1918. Played football and basketball in 1919 while attending Gallaudet College, but flunked out after less than a year. After leaving Gallaudet, played professional basketball for Petersburg, VA. Also semi-pro basketball for the Goodyear Silents (Akron, OH) and Silent Separates (NY), and amateur for the Frederick (MD) YMCA. This was years before the establishment of national basketball leagues such as the NBA. Also played pro minor-league baseball for Frederick (MD), Salisbury (MD), Hellertown (PA), and Nazareth (PA). Died at Swansboro, NC from a heart attack. Voted into the AAAD Hall of Fame.