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HB
“Supersonic Steve”
"I made a lot of long runs. I ran from scrimmage and I ran back kicks and I played safety and ran back passes…I’d just love to run against these four-man lines they have nowadays.”
(Louisiana State)...6'0'', 200...Stephen Wood Van Buren ... No. 1 draft pick, 1944 ... All-NFL six straight years ... Provided Eagles a battering-ram punch ... Won NFL rushing title four times ... 1944 punt return, 1945 kickoff return champ ... Scored only TD in 7-0 title win, 1948 ... Rushed for then-record 196 yards in 1949 finale ... Career mark: 5860 yards rushing, 464 points scored. . .Surpassed 1,000 yards in rushing twice ... Born December 28, 1920, in La Ceiba, Honduras ... Died August 23, 2012, at age of 91.
Steve Van Buren answered to a lot of names during his eight-year career in the National Football League, "Wham Bam,” "Supersonic Steve," "Blockbuster," and several more. Translated, they all meant he was an exceptional football player.
To be sure, Steve's pro career was distinctive. He surpassed 1,000 yards rushing twice, won four NFL rushing titles and a rare “triple crown” in 1945 when he led in rushing, scoring, and kickoff returns. He was a first-team All-NFL selection each of his first six seasons. Van Buren lined up as a halfback but played more like a fullback as the battering ram of a powerful Eagles squad that dominated the NFL in the late 1940s.
Philadelphia had never finished above fourth place until Steve came on the scene in 1944. That year they finished second, were runners-up two more years, won three straight divisional titles, and the NFL title in 1948 and 1949.
Van Buren provided the offensive punch in both championship victories. In 1949 title game against the Los Angeles Rams, Steve carried 31 times for a record 196 yards as the Eagles won 14-0. A year earlier, Van Buren rushed for 98 yards and scored the game's only touchdown in the Eagles 7-0 title win over the Chicago Cardinals.
Born in Honduras, Van Buren was orphaned when he was very young and sent to New Orleans to live with his grandparents. He failed to make the high school football team as a 125-pound high school sophomore, but as a senior he played well enough to win a scholarship to LSU. In his senior season, Van Buren rushed for 832 yards. Encouraged by LSU coach Bernie Moore, the Eagles selected him as their top pick in the draft. It was a break for Van Buren and, for the Eagles, possibly their most fortunate ever.
Championship Games
1947 NFL – Chicago Cardinals 28, Philadelphia Eagles 21 Van Buren started at left halfback. He carried the ball 18 times for 26 yards and one touchdown.
1948 NFL – Philadelphia Eagles 7, Chicago Cardinals 0 Van Buren did not start, but saw considerable playing time at left halfback. He carried the ball 26 times for 98 yards and one touchdown.
1949 NFL – Philadelphia Eagles 14, Los Angeles Rams 0 Van Buren started at left halfback. He had 31 carries for 196 yards.
All-League Teams
All-NFL: 1944 (AP) • 1945 (AP, UPI, IN, NY, PF, HA) • 1946 (NY) • 1947 (UPI, NY PF) • 1948 (UPI, IN, NY, PF) • 1949 (UPI, NY)
All-NFL Second Team: 1944 (UPI, NY) • 1946 (UPI, PF) • 1950 (UPI, NY)
All-Pro: 1947 (AP) • 1948 (AP, SN) • 1949 (AP, IN)
Pro Bowls
None (note: the Pro Bowl was not played from 1943-1950.)
In the NFL Record Book
(at time of his retirement following 1951 season)
• [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Career – 1,320 • [1st] Most Rushing Yards, Career – 5,860 • [1st] Most Rushing Yards, Season – 1,146 (1949) • [1st] Most Touchdowns, Season – 18 (1945) • [2nd] Most Rushing Attempts, Season – 263 (1949) • [2nd] Most Touchdowns, Career – 77 • [Tied for 2nd] Most Rushing Attempts, Game – 35 (vs. N.Y. Bulldogs, Nov. 20, 1949)
Team Records
Eagles' records held by Van Buren (Records through the 1951 season, Van Buren's last season with Philadelphia)
• [1st] Most Rushing Yards, Season – 1,146 (1949) • [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Season – 263 (1949) • [1st] Most Touchdowns, Season – 18 (1945) • [1st] Most Points Scored, Season – 110 (1945) • [1st] Most Rushing Yards, Game – 205 (vs. Pittsburgh, Nov. 27, 1949) • [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Game – 35 (vs. N.Y. Bulldogs, Nov. 20, 1949) • [1st] Most Rushing Yards, Career – 5,860 • [1st] Most Rushing Attempts, Career – 1,320 • [1st] Most Touchdowns, Career – 77 • [1st] Most Points, Career – 464 • [Tied for 1st] Most Kickoff Returns, Season – 14 (1948) • [2nd] Most Rushing Yards, Season – 1,008 (1947) • [2nd] Most Rushing Attempts, Season – 217 (1947) • [2nd] Most Kickoff Returns, Season – 13 (1947) • [2nd] Most Rushing Yards, Game – 174 (vs. N.Y. Bulldogs, Nov. 20, 1949) • [2nd] Most Rushing Attempts, Game – 29 (vs. Washington, Nov. 21. 1948) • [2nd] Longest Run From Scrimmage – 77 (vs. Brooklyn, Nov. 4, 1944) • [Tied for 2nd] Most Touchdowns, Game – 3 (vs. Boston, Dec. 9, 1945) • [3rd] Most Passes Intercepted, Season – 5 (1944) • [3rd] Longest Run From Scrimmage – 77 (vs. Oct. 14, 1944) • [3rd] Longest Kickoff Return – 98 (vs. New York, Dec. 2, 1945)
League/Team Statistical Titles
League Statistical Championships Rushing Titles: 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949 Scoring Titles: 1945 Punt Return Titles: 1944 Kickoff Return Titles: 1945 Touchdown Titles: 1945, 1947
Team Statistical Championships Rushing Titles: 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 Scoring Titles: 1945, 1947, 1949 Punt Return Titles: 1944, 1945 Kickoff Return Titles: 1944, 1945, 1946, 1947, 1948, 1949 Touchdown Titles: 1945, 1946, 1947, 1949
Awards and Honors
• 1940s All-Decade Team • 75th Anniversary All-Time Team • 75th Anniversary All-Two-Way Team
Full Name: Stephen W. Van Buren
Birthdate: December 28, 1920
Birthplace: La Celba, Honduras Died: August 23, 2012
High School: Warren Easton (New Orleans, LA)
Enshrined into Pro Football Hall of Fame: September 12, 1965
Other Members of Class of 1965: Guy Chamberlin, Paddy Driscoll, Dan Fortmann, Otto Graham, Sid Luckman, Bob Waterfield
Pro Career: 8 seasons, 83 games
Drafted: 1st round (5th overall) in 1944 by Philadelphia Eagles
Uniform Number: 15