Hall of Famer Harold Grange, All-American running back at the University of Illinois in the early 1920's, then for the Bears until 1935, was known as "Red Grange" or "The Galloping Ghost." He was so dominating in a 1924 game against Michigan--gaining 262 yards and scoring 4 touchdowns in just 12 minutes--that he inspired Grantland Rice to write the following poem which spawned his famous nickname:

A streak of fire, a breath of flame

Eluding all who reach and clutch;

A gray ghost thrown into the game

That rival hands may never touch;

A rubber bounding, blasting soul

Whose destination is the goal.