Ace Parker Jersey

Clarence “Ace” Parker, wearing the #34 jersey for the Duke Blue Devils, had an illustrious career both in college football and beyond. Here’s an overview of his career: College Football Career at Duke Ace Parker was a standout athlete at Duke University, where he competed in three sports: football, basketball, and baseball. His college football career was particularly remarkable, playing as a tailback from 1934 to 1936. • Accolades: Parker earned several notable awards during his time at Duke, including being a consensus All-American in 1936 and placing sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting that same year. • Performance: He was known for his open-field running and was one of the best punters in college football at the time. Parker’s 105-yard kickoff return against North Carolina is still a Duke school record. • Team Captain: In his senior season, Parker served as team captain for the Duke Blue Devils, who finished the season with a 9-1 record, capturing the league title with a 7-0 record, and ranked 11th in the Associated Press national poll. Professional Football Career After his successful college career, Ace Parker was drafted by the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1937 NFL draft. He played professional football as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Brooklyn Dodgers (1937–1941), Boston Yanks (1945), and in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) for the New York Yankees. • NFL Stardom: Parker’s professional football career was highlighted by his league MVP trophy earned in 1940. • Military Service: Like many of his generation, Parker served in the U.S. Navy during World War II from 1942 to 1945, which interrupted his professional sports career. Post-Football Career After his playing career, Ace Parker returned to Duke University to serve as an assistant football coach and head baseball coach. • Coaching Achievements: As the head baseball coach at Duke from 1953 to 1966, Parker guided the Blue Devils to a 166-162-4 overall record, including one Southern Conference championship, two ACC titles, and two College World Series appearances. Hall of Fame Inductions Ace Parker’s exceptional career was recognized with inductions into both the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1972. In summary, Ace Parker’s #34 Duke Blue Devils jersey represents a legacy of athletic excellence, leadership, and achievement in both college and professional football, as well as in coaching. His career is a testament to his skill, dedication, and impact on the sport.