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Albert Weiner (January 24, 1911 – September 17, 1988), nicknamed "Reds" or "Red", was an American multi-sport professional athlete and coach. He played football as a back in the National Football League (NFL) with the Philadelphia Eagles for one season and also played several years of minor league baseball. Additionally, he also played with a number of non-NFL professional football teams.

Early life

Albert Weiner was born on January 24, 1911, in Woodbine, New Jersey. He was one of four brothers, each of whom were athletes, and three – Albert, Mickey, and Bernie – played professional football. His parents were initially opposed to any of the brothers playing sports, but later became "great fans" after Mickey, the oldest, began playing football.

Weiner attended Irvington High School in New Jersey where he was a standout athlete. He entered the school in 1926 and made the varsity teams in four sports as a freshman: baseball, track and field, football, and basketball. He went on to be considered the school's greatest athlete, according to The Star-Ledger, winning 15 varsity letters out of 16 possible, only missing one track and field letter as a sophomore due to injury. He was named the team captain in both football and basketball and recalled being named all-state in both football and baseball.

Weiner was a catcher in baseball, a back in football, and a guard in basketball. He batted over .400 in baseball and was described as "an excellent running back in the single wing in football, and a kicker of no mean pretensions," as well as a "fine guard" in basketball, despite standing at 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m). He recalled that as a junior, he was named the best athlete in North Jersey by the World-Telegram. He said that he batted .475 as a senior but despite this did not repeat as the award-winner, as "Some kid from Clifton hit something like .625."

As baseball and track were held at the same time, whenever Irvington played both sports at home, Weiner "did double duty." The Star-Ledger described how, "In between innings, he would shuck his catching togs and jog over to the nearby track, pick up a javelin and throw for the track and field team."

College career

Weiner enrolled at Muhlenberg College in Pennsylvania in 1930. He was ineligible to play varsity sports that year as a freshman. During this time, he played basketball for a local Jewish all-stars exhibition team. Then, as a sophomore, Weiner won four varsity letters, in each of the four sports he starred in while at Irvington. Track and field was discontinued following the 1931 season, and thus Weiner was only able to achieve three varsity letters per year in subsequent seasons. Mid-season with the football team in 1931, he was promoted to being the starting quarterback.

Weiner became a top player for the Muhlenberg baseball team; by May 1932, in his second season, he was their leading batter with an average of .500, as well as the team's leader in both hits and home runs. He then opened the 1932 football season as a starting halfback for Muhlenberg, having several key performances in their season. He also saw significant action at quarterback, being described as their lead "signal-barker," and was additionally used as a punter and kicker. In the first game, he had a 60-yard interception return which helped them defeat Saint Joseph's. He was also cited as one of the top players in their 6–0 loss to Lebanon Valley, and although the Mules lost against Lehigh 25–6, Weiner was noted in The Morning Call as the Mules' "offensive spark," as "Time after time he got away for substantial gains, he passed perfectly and punted well." Later, in a November game against Gettysburg, Weiner returned the opening kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown and was a major figure in Muhlenberg's 26–7 upset win, with The Morning Call noting of his kick return: "He went through the entire Gettysburg team in his wild dash ... shaking off one would-be-tackler after another, and seldom if ever has there been a finer exhibition of broken field running on the local gridiron." After the season, he was selected to the all-conference team named by Muhlenberg coach George Holstrom, at quarterback.

Following the 1932 football season, Weiner returned to the Muhlenberg basketball team, for which he played center. After then winning another letter for the baseball team, he returned to the football team for a final season in 1933. He opened the season as starting right halfback and made several "dazzling" plays in their opening win over Saint Joseph's, according to The Morning Call, including a 32-yard touchdown run. He was known for playing every second of games, being sometimes the only Muhlenberg player to do so. He was also considered such a top player that at times, coach John Utz would have Weiner run the ball on up to seven plays straight, noting that he was less likely to fumble than others on the team; in one game he was noted to have ran the ball "more than two-thirds of the time." That season, he kicked field goals that allowed Muhlenberg to defeat Penn State, 3–0, and Ursinus, 3–0, and played "sensational" in several others. In November, against Lehigh, he scored all 10 points (on a touchdown, extra point and a field goal) in the Mules' 10–0 victory, which was the first time they had beaten the school since 1930, when Weiner's brother, Mickey, had captained the Mules. He played his final game against Dickinson later that month and scored every point in a 7–0 victory, which allowed Muhlenberg to win the conference title.

Following the 1933 football season, Weiner was honored as an honorable mention All-Eastern selection by the Associated Press (AP). He was also named all-conference by his coach, first-team All-Jewish All-American by Benny Friedman, and an honorable mention All-American by the AP. In nine games played, he finished with four touchdowns scored, four extra points, and three field goals, for a total of 37 points on the season. His three field goals made tied for first nationally. At the team banquet, Weiner was named Muhlenberg's honorary captain. The Morning Call named him Muhlenberg's most outstanding all-around athlete of the year and the Reading Times described him as "the greatest developed at the Allentown institution in many years, if not all time."

After the football season, Weiner joined the basketball team for his final season there, becoming a starter at guard. He contributed to what was described that season as "the best season Muhlenberg ever had" and was named honorary captain of the team. Following the basketball season, he returned to the baseball team and was their starting catcher for the 1934 season. In May 1934, The Morning Call described him as "One of the best receivers at Muhlenberg ... not only has been a consistent worker behind the bat but his hitting for the Mules has been well above the average all season." He ended the season with a batting average of .283 and was the team's leading home run hitter, with four. Receiving a varsity letter for his time with the 1934 baseball team, he concluded his tenure at Muhlenberg having received 10 total, in four sports. He graduated from Muhlenberg in June 1934. He was a member of the Phi Epsilon Pi fraternity.

Weiner later said that in the entirety of his high school and college football career, he only missed one game due to injury, which was a broken shoulder. His coach, John Utz, described him as "a whale of a football player who could do anything ... He was the steadying influence in our backfield."

local baseball teams: Shore Railroad

Jan 1932: Jewish Community Center

He also helped the Jewish Community Center team in the 1932 season win the Pennsylvania championship and advance to the National YMHA finals.

Professional career

Football

After Weiner graduated from Muhlenberg, he signed a contract to play professional football with the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He made the team and debuted in the Eagles' opener against the non-NFL Shenandoah Presidents on September 9, being a substitute for Ed Matesic and playing for a few minutes in the 8–7 win. He recorded his first statistics in NFL play in the Eagles' second 1934 NFL game, against the Pittsburgh Pirates, in which he ran for 33 yards on six carries, which was second-best on the team, and had a game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter which helped the team win 17–0. He also made one field goal in the game, from 17 yards out, which ended up being the only field goal scored by the Eagles all season. Later, on September 30, he was a major part of the team's non-league 13–0 victory against the Reading Keys; the Reading Times praised him for having won against the Keys "almost single-handed," noting he "stole the show" from more well-known Eagles players such as Swede Hanson, running for a touchdown, throwing for a touchdown and kicking an extra point.

Weiner saw his first action at quarterback for the Eagles in their 10–0 loss to the Detroit Lions on October 14, completing one of two pass attempts for zero yards, while also rushing once for two yards.

Tanner McKee

Baseball

In July 1934, a month after his graduation from Muhlenberg, Weiner began playing minor league baseball with the Stroudsburg Poconos. Later that month, he was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB), then sent to the Rochester Red Wings of the International League. The following month, he was sent to the Greensburg Red Wings of the Pennsylvania State Association, a Class D team.

Coaching career

Weiner had showed an interest in coaching while still in college, applying for the head coaching position at Pottsville High School in March 1934.

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Personal life and death

Notes

1. In an interview with The Star-Ledger in 1952, he said that he captained the baseball team as well; however, in a later interview with the paper in 1975, he said that his biggest regret in sports was that "I never was captain of the baseball teams at either Muhlenberg or at Irvington, and I always wanted it."

References

1. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1113695346/?match=1&terms=reds%20weiner
2. https://www.newspapers.com/image/72459805/?match=1&terms=red%20weiner
3. https://www.newspapers.com/image/1108876153/?match=1&terms=reds%20weiner
4. https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/w/wein00600.html
5. "Al Weiner Stats". Pro Football Archives.
6. Heller, Dick (May 20, 1951). "Red Weiner packs a heavy punch into little Hillside–ask its big rivals". The Star-Ledger. p. 74 – via Newspapers.com.
7. Heller, Dick (May 20, 1951). "Red Weiner packs a heavy punch into little Hillside–ask its big rivals". The Star-Ledger. p. 74 – via Newspapers.com.
8. Heller, Dick (May 20, 1951). "Red Weiner packs a heavy punch into little Hillside–ask its big rivals". The Star-Ledger. p. 74 – via Newspapers.com.
9. Glicken, Lloyde S. (September 26, 1988). "Weiner's career in sports filled with achievements". The Star-Ledger. p. 36 – via Newspapers.com.
10. Heller, Dick (May 20, 1951). "Red Weiner packs a heavy punch into little Hillside–ask its big rivals". The Star-Ledger. p. 74 – via Newspapers.com.
11. Glicken, Lloyde S. (February 20, 1975). "All-time Irvington great Weiner to call it a day". The Star-Ledger. p. 49 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Muhlenberg Football Players Tendered Splendid Banquet to Mark Close of Successful Season". The Morning Call. December 13, 1933. p. 22 – via Newspapers.com.
13. Weiner, Albert; Heller, Dick (May 25, 1952). "Red Weiner, ex-grid and baseball ace, 'batons' parade of stars at Hillside". The Star-Ledger. p. 52 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
14. Glicken, Lloyde S. (February 21, 1975). "Hillside will fete Weiner's 50 years in sports". The Star-Ledger. p. 40 – via Newspapers.com.
15. Weiner, Albert; Heller, Dick (May 25, 1952). "Red Weiner, ex-grid and baseball ace, 'batons' parade of stars at Hillside". The Star-Ledger. p. 52 – via Newspapers.com.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
16. Glicken, Lloyde S. (February 21, 1975). "Hillside will fete Weiner's 50 years in sports". The Star-Ledger. p. 40 – via Newspapers.com.
17. Glicken, Lloyde S. (February 20, 1975). "All-time Irvington great Weiner to call it a day". The Star-Ledger. p. 49 – via Newspapers.com.
18. Glicken, Lloyde S. (February 20, 1975). "All-time Irvington great Weiner to call it a day". The Star-Ledger. p. 49 – via Newspapers.com.
19. Glicken, Lloyde S. (February 20, 1975). "All-time Irvington great Weiner to call it a day". The Star-Ledger. p. 49 – via Newspapers.com.
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21. Glicken, Lloyde S. (September 26, 1988). "Weiner's career in sports filled with achievements". The Star-Ledger. p. 36 – via Newspapers.com.
22. Glicken, Lloyde S. (September 26, 1988). "Weiner's career in sports filled with achievements". The Star-Ledger. p. 36 – via Newspapers.com.
23. "Al Weiner Stats". Pro Football Archives.
24. Heller, Dick (May 20, 1951). "Red Weiner packs a heavy punch into little Hillside–ask its big rivals". The Star-Ledger. p. 74 – via Newspapers.com.
25. "Buffaloes Lose Basketball Game". The Morning Call. April 24, 1931. p. 30 – via Newspapers.com.
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35. "Lebanon Valley Upsets Dope, Taking Measure of Muhlenberg By 6 to 0 in Exciting Tussle". The Morning Call. October 8, 1932. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
36. "'Mules' Outplay Coach Tate's Proteges, But Long Runs by Chick Halsted and Short Win for Lehigh". The Morning Call. October 30, 1932. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
37. "Mules Turn About to Kick Gettysburg, 26-7". The Morning Call. November 13, 1932. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
38. "Holstrom Names Three Muhlenberg Players on All-Conference Team". The Morning Call. December 6, 1932. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
39. "Eastern Pennsy League". Lebanon Daily News. January 7, 1933. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
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41. "Muhlenberg Outplays St. Joe, But Is Extended to Win by 12-0 Score Before Record Grid Crowd". The Morning Call. September 23, 1933. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
42. "Muhlenberg Is Seriously Crippled For Game With Fordham Saturday". The Morning Call. October 4, 1933. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
43. "Inside Stuff". The Morning Call. November 29, 1933. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
44. "'Red' Weiner's 13-Yard Field Goal In Closing Period Nets Muhlenberg Close Victory in Conference Game". The Morning Call. November 12, 1933. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
45. "Does History Repeat in Athletics?". The Morning Call. November 16, 1933. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
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48. "Two F. & M. Men In All East Selections". Intelligencer Journal. Associated Press. November 29, 1933. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
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51. "Inside Stuff". The Morning Call. December 11, 1933. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
52. "Watts, Weiner Rate Honorable Mention". Lancaster New Era. December 2, 1933. p. 9 – via Newspapers.com.
53. "Young Leads East In Gridiron Scoring". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Associated Press. November 27, 1933. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
54. Heller, Dick (May 20, 1951). "Red Weiner packs a heavy punch into little Hillside–ask its big rivals". The Star-Ledger. p. 74 – via Newspapers.com.
55. "Pete Young Is Scoring Champ". The Morning Call. Associated Press. December 4, 1933. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
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57. "Muhlenberg Brings to Close One of Best Years in Athletics". The Morning Call. December 28, 1933. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
58. "Reds Weiner to Gallop For Al Julian's Keys". Reading Times. November 23, 1934. p. 36 – via Newspapers.com.
59. "Muhlenberg's Star Cagers Led By Local Boy". Wilkes-Barre Times Leader / The Evening News. January 24, 1934. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
60. "'Mules' Hang Up Thrilling 25-24 Decision Over Lehigh Basketeers". The Morning Call. March 8, 1934. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
61. "Mules Honor 'Red' Weiner". The Morning Call. March 21, 1934. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
62. "Muhlenberg Lifts Curtain on 1934 Season With Bucknell Tuesday". The Morning Call. April 23, 1934. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
63. "'Mule' Battery". The Morning Call. May 26, 1934. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
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67. "Untitled". The Morning Call. October 12, 1934. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
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70. "Reds Weiner's Single Beats Maccos, 3 To 1". Press of Atlantic City. July 28, 1932. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
71. "Red Weiner's Home Run Wins Game In 5th Inning". Press of Atlantic City. August 16, 1932. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
72. "Center Loses To Harrisburg In Tight Game". The Morning Call. January 18, 1932. p. 16 – via Newspapers.com.
73. "Center Cagemen Are Honored". The Morning Call. May 10, 1932. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
74. "Heist, And Weiner, Muhlenberg Stars, Signed By Cardinals". Pittston Gazette. July 31, 1934. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
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81. "Reds Weiner to Gallop For Al Julian's Keys". Reading Times. November 23, 1934. p. 36 – via Newspapers.com.
82. Silva, Doc (October 1, 1934). "Reds Weiner, Former Muhlenberg Star, Leads Big Leaguers To Win". Reading Times. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
83. "Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles - October 14th, 1934". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
84. https://www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com/nfl/philadelphia-eagles/roobs-eagles-stats-tanner-mckee-cowboys-aj-brown/639452/
85. "Amicus Plays Poconos Here". The Morning Call. July 18, 1934. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
86. "Heist, And Weiner, Muhlenberg Stars, Signed By Cardinals". Pittston Gazette. July 31, 1934. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
87. "Inside Stuff". The Morning Call. August 22, 1934. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
88. "Untitled". The Plain Speaker. March 20, 1934. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.