Doc Blanchard: A Draft Day Salute

Why a draft day salute to Doc Blanchard, an Army running back who never played in the pro's? 

Well, Doc Blanchard was drafted, third overall by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he dodged that draft and volunteered.

He volunteered for the Army Air Corps and later the United States Air Force. 

Blanchard, "Mr. Inside" to his teammate Glenn Davis, "Mr. Outside," won almost every award a college football player could win. The Heisman, the first ever by a Junior, the Maxwell Award, and the John E. Sullivan Award.

During his career at West Point, Army football was the best in the nation. Their record during Blanchard's years under Coach Red Blaik was 27-0-1.

His teammate Davis won the Heisman the year after Blanchard. Army in the 1940s was football.

Army won three National Championships with the most dazzling backfield pair in college football history.

But Blanchard never played as a pro.

The War Department turned down his request and required him to serve his term of service.

Mr. Inside never looked back. Instead, he flew forward.

Blanchard flew fighter jets and bombers, serving in Korea and Vietnam.

Instead of parachuting out of his burning plane over a populated area near London in 1959, he piloted it the smoking jet down.

Blanchard flew 84 missions over North Vietnam in 1968 and 1969.

He later retired as a Colonel.

On April 19, Mr. Inside died at the age of 84. He was the oldest living Heisman Trophy winner.

A relic from another era when pro sports wasn't king, court, and jester.

Perhaps when you see a player complain about his draft status, whine that he wants traded, or moan about the team that's paying him millions to play a child's game, think of Old Doc Blanchard.

What did the Doc think of all that jazz?

Or maybe just raise a glass to Mr. Inside.

Perhaps lift the cold glass, if you can, when a glittering fighter jet cuts through the bright blue sky.

Toast the sparkling spring sky.

Toast Doc Blanchard.

Mr. Inside has said good bye.