Merl Condit
Encyclopedia
Merlyn Edwin Condit nicknamed "Merlyn the Magician," was an American football
H-back
in the National Football League
for the Pittsburgh Steelers
, the Washington Redskins
, and the Brooklyn Dodgers
. He played college football
at West Virginia University
and Carnegie Mellon University.
, but he never played for them, instead joining Pittsburgh
as a rookie in 1940, where he earned a selection to the NFL All-Star Game. Condit next played three seasons for the Brooklyn Dodgers
between 1941 and 1943. In 1942 Condit finished second in the league in rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage, and first in yards per carry. He was named to his second All-Star Game and was voted 2nd team All-NFL by the AP, NFL, and NY Daily News.
Condit also contributed to Brooklyn's defense and special teams. He intercepted 10 passes for the Dodgers, kicked 5 field goals and 21 extra points, and served as punter and punt returner during his time with the club.
Condit served in World War II
during parts of 1943 and 1944. He returned to the NFL in 1945, playing that year for the Washington Redskins
. He finished his career with Pittsburgh in 1946.
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...
H-back
H-back
An H-Back is an offensive position in American football, and is also known as power back. The position is a hybrid of a fullback and a tight end. The position was made notable in the NFL by the Washington Redskins under head coach Joe Gibbs who ran a two tight end system...
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...
for the Pittsburgh Steelers
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...
, the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
, and the Brooklyn Dodgers
Brooklyn Dodgers (NFL)
The Brooklyn Dodgers were an American football team that played in the National Football League from 1930 to 1943, and in 1944 as the Brooklyn Tigers. The team played its home games at Ebbets Field. In 1945, because of financial difficulties, the team was merged with the Boston Yanks...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at West Virginia University
West Virginia Mountaineers football
The West Virginia Mountaineers football team represents West Virginia University in the NCAA FBS division of college football. Dana Holgorsen is the team's 33rd head coach. He has held the position since he was promoted in June 2011 after the resignation of Bill Stewart. The Mountaineers play their...
and Carnegie Mellon University.
Professional career
The Cleveland Rams selected Condit in the second round of the 1940 NFL Draft1940 NFL Draft
The 1940 National Football League Draft was held on December 9, 1939.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:...
, but he never played for them, instead joining Pittsburgh
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...
as a rookie in 1940, where he earned a selection to the NFL All-Star Game. Condit next played three seasons for the Brooklyn Dodgers
Brooklyn Dodgers (NFL)
The Brooklyn Dodgers were an American football team that played in the National Football League from 1930 to 1943, and in 1944 as the Brooklyn Tigers. The team played its home games at Ebbets Field. In 1945, because of financial difficulties, the team was merged with the Boston Yanks...
between 1941 and 1943. In 1942 Condit finished second in the league in rushing yards and total yards from scrimmage, and first in yards per carry. He was named to his second All-Star Game and was voted 2nd team All-NFL by the AP, NFL, and NY Daily News.
Condit also contributed to Brooklyn's defense and special teams. He intercepted 10 passes for the Dodgers, kicked 5 field goals and 21 extra points, and served as punter and punt returner during his time with the club.
Condit served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
during parts of 1943 and 1944. He returned to the NFL in 1945, playing that year for the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
. He finished his career with Pittsburgh in 1946.