Carl Littlefield
Encyclopedia
Carl Lester Littlefield was an American football
back who played from 1938 to 1940 in the National Football League
(NFL) and third American Football League
(AFL).
Born in Plymouth
, California, Littlefield attended Sacramento Junior College
, where he played fullback and was the team's punter. He then played as a fullback at Washington State
, and the Associated Press
called him "Probably the most sought-after player" among those who were not picked in the 1938 NFL Draft
. Littlefield went to the Cleveland Rams
for the 1938 season
, where he played in nine games and rushed 19 times for 69 yards; he also returned a fumble
for his only NFL touchdown. After the season, the Rams traded him to the New York Giants
, but they released him and the Pittsburgh Pirates
acquired Littlefield. In 1939 and 1940, he played for the Pirates, running for 141 yards in 39 attempts. In 1940, Littlefield also played for the AFL's Buffalo Indians
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
back who played from 1938 to 1940 in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
(NFL) and third American Football League
American Football League (1940)
American Football League, also known as the AFL III to distinguish it from earlier organizations of that name, was a major professional American football league that operated from 1940-1941...
(AFL).
Born in Plymouth
Plymouth, California
Plymouth is a city in Amador County, California, United States. The population was 980 at the 2000 census. The town was originally named Pokerville, when it was settled during the time of the Gold Rush...
, California, Littlefield attended Sacramento Junior College
Sacramento City College
Sacramento City College is a two-year community college located in Sacramento, California. SCC is part of the Los Rios Community College District and had an enrollment of 25,307 in 2009. Sacramento City College is officially accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges , offering...
, where he played fullback and was the team's punter. He then played as a fullback at Washington State
Washington State Cougars football
The Washington State Cougars football team is the intercollegiate football team of Washington State University. The team is a member of the Pacific-12 Conference...
, and the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
called him "Probably the most sought-after player" among those who were not picked in the 1938 NFL Draft
1938 NFL Draft
The 1938 National Football League Draft was held on December 12, 1937. The draft consisting of 12 rounds and 110 player selections, began with the leagues newest expansion team the Cleveland Rams taking Corbett Davis and ended with the Mr...
. Littlefield went to the Cleveland Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
for the 1938 season
1938 NFL season
The 1938 NFL season was the 19th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended when the New York Giants defeated the Green Bay Packers in the NFL Championship Game.-Major rule changes:...
, where he played in nine games and rushed 19 times for 69 yards; he also returned a fumble
Fumble
A fumble in American and Canadian football occurs when a player, who has possession and control of the ball loses it before being downed or scoring. By rule, it is any act other than passing, kicking or successful handing that results in loss of player possession...
for his only NFL touchdown. After the season, the Rams traded him to the New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, but they released him and the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
acquired Littlefield. In 1939 and 1940, he played for the Pirates, running for 141 yards in 39 attempts. In 1940, Littlefield also played for the AFL's Buffalo Indians
Buffalo Indians
The Buffalo Indians were a professional American football team that competed in the third American Football League in 1940 and in 1941. The team played its home games in Civic Stadium in Buffalo, New York...
.