Tom Harmon
September 28, 1919 — March 15, 1990 — Rensselaer, Indiana, United States
Tom Harmon was a University of Michigan football legend whose electrifying running earned him the 1940 Heisman Trophy and the nickname "Old 98." Beyond the gridiron, he served as a decorated World War II fighter pilot, survived being shot down twice, and later built a successful second career as a Hollywood actor and nationally known sports broadcaster.
Early Life and College Stardom
Thomas Dudley Harmon was born on September 28, 1919, in Rensselaer, Indiana, one of several athletically gifted brothers. He enrolled at the University of Michigan, where he quickly became one of the most electrifying players in college football history, wearing the number 98 that would become his lasting nickname, "Old 98." As a triple-threat halfback who could run, pass, and kick, Harmon set numerous scoring and rushing records for the Wolverines during the late 1930s. His senior season in 1940 was legendary: he scored 33 points in a single game against California and led Michigan to an undefeated regular season finish. That year, Harmon swept nearly every major individual honor in college football, culminating in the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and consensus All-America recognition. His combination of speed, power, and showmanship made him a national celebrity and one of the most celebrated amateur athletes of his era.
War Hero and Professional Football
After a brief stint in the fledgling NFL with the Los Angeles Rams' predecessor organization, Harmon's football career was interrupted by World War II. He joined the U.S. Army Air Forces and trained as a fighter pilot, flying combat missions overseas. Harmon survived two harrowing plane crashes during the war: the first over South America after his aircraft went down in a jungle, forcing him to trek for days to reach safety, and the second in China after his fighter was shot down by enemy fire, an ordeal he escaped with the help of local resistance fighters. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Silver Star for his service and bravery. After the war, Harmon returned briefly to professional football, playing for the Los Angeles Rams, though his gridiron career never fully recaptured the dominance of his college years, largely due to injuries sustained in his military service.
Did You Know?
Tom Harmon survived being shot down not once but twice during World War II—first crash-landing in the South American jungle and later being shot down over China, where he evaded capture with help from local guerrillas before returning safely to duty.
Broadcasting Career and Legacy
Following his playing days, Harmon transitioned smoothly into entertainment and media, appearing in a handful of Hollywood films and marrying actress Elyse Knox in 1944. He found his most lasting post-football success as a sports broadcaster, becoming one of the most recognizable voices in American sports media through work with CBS and other networks, where he called college football games and other sporting events for decades. Harmon's warm, authoritative delivery made him a trusted figure in living rooms across the country. He and Knox raised a family that continued in the public eye, most notably their son, actor Mark Harmon, star of television series including "NCIS." Tom Harmon died on March 15, 1990, in Los Angeles, California, at age 70. His legacy endures through the University of Michigan's retirement of his number 98 jersey and his enshrinement in the College Football Hall of Fame, cementing his place as one of the sport's most storied figures.