Bill Pascal, 81; Led NFL in Rushing in 1943 and 1944 as a N.Y. Giant
Bill Pascal, 81, who led the National Football League in rushing in 1943 and 1944 while playing for the New York Giants, died Sunday of congestive heart failure in Marietta, Ga.
Pascal was a football and track star at Atlanta’s Tech High, then played at Georgia Tech briefly before injuring his knee. He left school and worked as a railroad switchman until his knee healed. On the recommendation of sportswriter Grantland Rice, the Giants gave Pascal a tryout. He signed with the team in 1943 for $1,500.
For the record:
12:00 a.m. May 29, 2003 For The Record
Los Angeles Times Thursday May 29, 2003 Home Edition Main News Part A Page 2 National Desk 0 inches; 26 words Type of Material: Correction
Paschal obituary -- An obituary brief in Wednesday’s Times on former National Football League player Bill Paschal inadvertently left out the H in his last name.
He became the first player to win back-to-back rushing titles in the NFL, gaining 572 yards in nine games in his rookie year and 737 yards in 10 games in his second season.
He returned home to Georgia after the 1949 season to run the family sheet-metal business. He retired in 1987.
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