James Simrall James Orlando Harrison Simrall , Jr . ( November 16 , 1909 – September 8 , 1982 ) was an American football player and medical doctor . A native of Lexington , Kentucky , Simrall enrolled at the University of Michigan where he played quarterback and halfback for the Michigan Wolverines football teams from 1928 to 1930 . He was selected as the Most Valuable Player on the 1929 team and the captain of the 1930 team . He later attended Harvard Medical School , served as an instructor in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan , and later became a medical doctor in Lexington , Kentucky . Early years . Simrall was born in Lexington , Kentucky , in November 1909 . His father , James O . Harrison Simrall , Sr . ( 1877 – 1934 ) , was a Kentucky native who worked as the secretary of the city school board , personnel director and business manager of the public schools , and also operated an insurance agency under the name , J . O . H . Insurance Agency . His mother , Kitty C . ( Chenault ) Simrall , was also a Kentucky native . At the time of the 1910 United States Census , Simrall was living in Lexington with his parents and an older sister , Florence D . Simrall . At the time of the 1930 United States Census , his family continued to reside in Lexington , and he also had a younger sister , Kitty C . Simrall . In high school , Simrall played football and basketball and competed in track . University of Michigan . Simrall enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1927 . He played on the freshman football team in 1927 . As a sophomore in 1928 , he started five games at the halfback position for the Michigan team coached by Tad Wieman . Prior to the 1929 season , expectations were high for Simrall . A profile of the Michigan football team in the International News Service ( predecessor to the UPI ) noted : " The big ' if ' is a youngster named Harrison Simrall of Lexington , Ky . , who is looked upon as the man due to lead the maize and blue cohorts into the promised land . In practice - - at least the one we saw - - he looks like the answer to the coaches ' prayer . He can kick , forward pass and direct play in a manner that leaves little to be desired , and the experience gained last season seems to have ironed out the rough edges of his style . " Simrall started eight games as quarterback in 1929 and another as halfback in Harry Kipke ' s first season as Michigan ' s head football coach . He also handled punting for the 1929 team and set an " iron man " record by playing in 488 minutes during the 1929 season . At the end of the 1929 season , Simrall was elected by his teammates as both the Most Valuable Player on the 1929 team and captain of the 1930 team . The International News Service wrote at the time : " James O . Simrall of Lexington , Ky . , is to lead the University of Michigan football team next year . He was elected yesterday to the captaincy . Only 19 years old and weighing 160 pounds , Simrall has played a brilliant game in Michigan ' s backfield for the last two years . " A syndicated newspaper profile on Simrall reported that " Ducky " Simrall was the youngest Michigan captain in many years and added : " Simrall has established a reputation of ' taking the gaff ' at Michigan that has been equaled by few men of his size . Although he weighs but 162 pounds the Wolverines has had time taken out for him but once in two seasons , established a record for minutes played . He participated in every minute during the last seven games with Michigan State , Purdue , Ohio State , Illinois , Harvard , Minnesota and Iowa as opponents . " Another newspaper called him a " genial , quiet blonde . . . well liked by all " and praised his work as a safety man : " Defensively Simrall is almost beyond reproach - - a deadly tackler and a good analyst of plays . " For the 1930 season , Harry Newman took over the quarterback position , and Simrall started eight games at the halfback position . Newman and Simrall led the 1930 Wolverines to an undefeated season and a tie for the Big Ten Conference championship . In a 13 – 0 victory over Ohio State , Newman completed a pass to Simrall from Michigan ' s 46 - yard line with a minute remaining in the game . Simrall took the ball to the one - yard line to set up the first score of the game . In the final game of the 1930 season , and Simrall ' s last appearance for Michigan , he threw a touchdown pass to Roy Hudson from midfield for Michigan ' s first points against the Chicago Maroons . At the end of the 1930 season , Coach Kipke told the press that he considered Simrall to be the most valuable player and the key to the success of the 1930 team . While at Michigan , Simrall was also a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity . In February 1931 , Simrall received national publicity when he was one of 70 University of Michigan students arrested in " rum raids " at five leading fraternities on the campus . Medical career and later years . After graduating from Michigan , Simrall attended Harvard Medical School . He returned to the University of Michigan in 1935 to perform his residency at the University Hospital . He was also a teaching assistant in pathology . By 1940 , he was an instructor in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Michigan . He co - authored a paper in 1940 entitled , " The Effects of Vaginal Mucosa of the Sponge and Foam Powder Method Used in Contraception , " which was published by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America in the journal , " Human Fertility . " He later relocated to Louisville , Kentucky , where he established a medical practice . He was married to Irene Simrall . In 1949 , he maintained his office at 332 W . Broadway in Louisville and lived at 316 Stilz Avenue in Louisville . Simrall died at Louisville in 1982 at age 72 . In March 1931 , Simrall was voted as the class athlete and the most popular man in the University of Michigan ' s Class of 1931 .