A two-way star with Alabama’s Crimson Tide, Ed Salem led the team in passing in 1948, 1949 and 1950. He also led the team in rushing in 1948 and interceptions in 1949. A first team All-American, he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 2nd round of the 1951 NFL draft and played defense in his single season there, intercepting five passes.
Released by the Redskins after the season he was signed by the Montreal Alouettes in June 1952 and was heralded as a triple-threat and a key import in the rebuilding of the woeful Alouettes backfield. Also arriving that year was the unheralded Sam Etcheverry who was to unseat incumbent quarterback Fran Nagle and relegate Salem to a defensive and kicking role. Those skills saved him one of the coveted eight spots allowed for imports (Nagle was among those released) and he responded by finishing third in the East scoring with 52 points and setting a then league kicking record with a 53 yard field goal. At the end of the season Salem returned to Birmingham Alabama and opened a number of diners Salem as well as a travel agency and several bowling alleys. In 1992 he was named one of the top 50 University of Alabama athletes of all time and in 2010 was elected to the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. He died in Alabama on December 21 2001.
[Bio by Wes Cross]
Salem survives October 1 cuts - October 1, 1952
| Year | Team | GP | ConvA | ConvG | % | Att | Good | FG% | Long | S | MFG | YdsMFG | Avg | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | MON | 12 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 52 |
Salem had 5 touchdowns in 1952 (5 x 5 pts), 17 converts, 3 field goals and one single to make up the total of 52.
