Ferdinand Rockwell
_Rockwell_(1923).jpg) |
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| Sport(s) | Football |
|---|---|
| Biographical details | |
| Born | 1900 Jackson, Michigan |
| Died | March 22, 1952 (aged 52) |
| Playing career | |
| 1923–1924 | Michigan |
| Position(s) | Quarterback |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| 1925 | Salem |
| 1926–1927 | North Dakota |
| 1928–1929 | Louisiana Tech |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 13–19–3 |
Ferdinand Almon "Tod" Rockwell (1900 – March 22, 1952) was an American football player and coach. He played quarterback for the University of Michigan Wolverines football team in 1923 and 1924. He helped the 1923 Michigan Wolverines football team win a national championship. He was the head coach of the North Dakota Fighting Sioux football team from 1926 to 1927 and of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football team from 1928 to 1929.
Rockwell was born in Chicago, the son of a Methodist minister. He attended high school in Jackson, Michigan.
Rockwell enrolled at the University of Michigan and played on the freshman football team in 1920. He did not play football in 1921 or 1922.
In 1923, Rockwell began the season as a backup quarterback, but he became the starter after Irwin Uteritz broke his ankle in a game against the Quantico Marines. When Rockwell came into the game against the Marines, Michigan lined up for a field goal with Rockwell holding the ball. As the Marines came through to block the kick, Rockwell jumped to his feet and ran the ball 26 yards for a touchdown. The touchdown run was Rockwell's first play for Michigan's varsity team. The following week, Rockwell again gained attention for a punt return against Wisconsin. The ball bounced off Rockwell's chest at the 25-yard line, but he picked up the loose ball. Rockwell was hit and appeared to be knocked down, but the whistle was not blown. Rockwell started a slow walk with the ball through a relaxed Badger team, which believed Rockwell had been ruled down. After reaching midfield, Rockwell began running at full speed and ran for Michigan's only touchdown in a 6 to 3 victory. Years later, Harry Kipke wrote about the play and described Rockwell's "perfect acrobatic somersault" as he appeared to be down but maintained his balance and ran for the winning touchdown.
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