Learning the ABC's of Alabama Crimson Tide History: "Y"

In the history of Alabama football, only five players with a last name beginning with the letter "Y" have suited up for the Crimson Tide. The only one who earned at least three varsity letters was tackle, Sid Youngelman.

A native of Brooklyn, N.Y., Youngelman actually arrived in Tuscaloosa on a basketball scholarship. However, he left as one of the best offensive lineman to wear the crimson and white. 

Youngelman played for the Crimson Tide from 1952 to 1954. He appeared in two bowl games and left just before the darkest days of Alabama football.

As a sophomore in 1952, Youngelman and the Crimson Tide went 9-2 during the regular season. The offense scored at least 21 points in all but two games, but they saved their best performance for the Orange Bowl against Syracuse. Alabama crushed the Orangemen, 61-6, to finish 10-2 and ranked ninth in the country.

Despite a 6-2-3 record in 1953, Youngelman helped to anchor an offensive line that led the Crimson Tide to a SEC Championship. Even though Alabama lost 28-6, to Rice in the Cotton Bowl, the Crimson Tide still finished the season ranked 13th.

Youngelman was named team captain prior to the 1954 season. Alabama started the year ranked 14th, but lost, 7-2 to Southern Mississippi, in the season-opener. Even though the Crimson Tide won their next four games, they ended the season 0-4-2. Alabama was outscored 83-14, over the final six games.

Despite the disappointing team season, Youngelman earned All-SEC Third Team honors. He was also selected to participate in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game, in Montgomery, Alabama.  

Not only was 1954 the last year for Youngelman, but it also marked the final season for head coach Harold "Red" Drew. He was replaced by former Alabama player J.B. Whitworth, who won only four games over the next three seasons, including a 0-10 mark in 1955. Whitworth was then replaced by Bear Bryant.    

After graduating from Alabama in 1954, Youngelman was selected by San Francisco in the seventh round of the 1954 NFL Draft. He played five years in the NFL with the 49ers, Philadelphia, and Cleveland. Beginning in 1960, he began a four-year stint in the AFL with the New York Titans and Buffalo.

Youngleman was an AFL All-League Second Team selection in 1960 and played in a total of 107 NFL and AFL games in his career.