Kyle Rote

An outstanding all-around athlete, Kyle Rote starred as a football wide receiver and halfback in high school and college before his professional career with the New York Giants of the National Football League. The San Antonio Jefferson High School graduate was an All-State selection in football and basketball and led the Mustangs to state finals in both sports. ​

Rote was a 1950 All-American performer at Southern Methodist University and was twice selected to the All-Southwest Conference Team. In 1949 he led the Conference in punting and rushing and helped the Mustangs defeat Oregon in the Cotton Bowl. He played perhaps his greatest game as a collegian that year against eventual National Champion Notre Dame when he rushed for 115 yards, passed for 146 yards and scored all 20 SMU points in a 27-20 loss. He was named to the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1964. ​

Rote was New York’s top pick in the 1951 NFL draft and played 11 seasons with the Giants. He was a member of the Giants 1956 NFL Champions and played in the famous 1958 title game against the Baltimore Colts, often referred to as the “greatest game ever played”. Rote finished his pro career with 301 passes caught for 4909 yards and 52 touchdowns. Following his retirement in 1961 he became an assistant coach with New York and then went on to a successful network-broadcasting career, which included Super Bowls III and V.