Paul Duhart Paul Albert Duhart ( December 30 , 1920 – January 18 , 2006 ) was an American college and professional football player who was a quarterback , running back and defensive back in the National Football League ( NFL ) for two seasons during the mid - 1940s . Duhart played college football for the University of Florida , and thereafter , he played professionally for the Green Bay Packers , Pittsburgh Steelers and Boston Yanks of the NFL . Early life . Duhart was born in Montreal , Quebec , and is of French - Canadian descent . He attended Saint Peter ' s High School in Worcester , Massachusetts where he was a standout high school football player . College career . Duhart enrolled at the University of Florida in Gainesville , Florida where he played for coach Tom Lieb ' s Florida Gators football team . Duhart ' s performance that season earned his varsity letter in 1942 , before entering the U . S . Army in 1943 . The Gators did not field a varsity football team in 1943 , as most able - bodied men of college age either volunteered or were drafted into the U . S . Armed Services during the height of World War II . Professional career . After being discharged by the U . S . Army in 1944 , Duhart was given special dispensation pursuant to a ruling by the NFL in order to sign with the Green Bay Packers , since his college team , the Florida Gators , had previously disbanded for the 1943 season , preventing Duhart from entering the NFL Draft that year . As a part - time starter , he helped the Packers to a championship season in . The 1944 NFL Championship Game was played on December 17 , 1944 at New York City ' s Polo Grounds . The Western Division champions , coach Curly Lambeau ' s Green Bay Packers ( 8 – 2 ) , squared off against the Eastern Division champions , coach Steve Owen ' s New York Giants ( 8 – 1 – 1 ) . Led by Green Bay ' s end Don Hutson , quarterback Irv Comp , and running back Ted Fritsch who scored two touchdowns , the Packers compiled a 14 – 7 victory over the Giants , prevailing over the Giants ' star running back Bill Paschal and quarterback Arnie Herber . Duhart ' s last - minute interception of a " hail Mary " pass by Herber secured the Packers ' victory . Prior to the 1945 NFL Draft , the NFL determined that Duhart would have to enter the draft , and he was selected in the first round ( second pick overall ) by the Pittsburgh Steelers . Duhart was the first college football player from the state of Florida to be selected in the first round of the NFL draft . After playing two games for the Steelers in , the Boston Yanks purchased him , and he finished the 1945 season with the Yanks before injuries ended his NFL career . Duhart finished his two - season NFL career with sixty - eight carries for 200 rushing yards and three touchdowns , and nine receptions for 176 yards and two touchdowns . He also complete seven passes for sixty - nine yards . Life after the NFL . After retiring from the NFL , Duhart attended Boston College in Chestnut Hill , Massachusetts , and graduated with a bachelor ' s degree in history and English . In 1960 , Duhart moved west from Worcester , Massachusetts to become the athletic director and head varsity football coach for Arcadia High School in Arcadia , California . His 1961 Pacific League championship team was undefeated , extending his personal win streak to thirty games , and for the first time ever , the Arcadia Apaches defeated their cross - town rivals , the Monrovia High School Wildcats . Duhart led the Arcadia Apaches football program from 1960 through 1969 , and also served as the head coach of the boys ' varsity golf and girls ' varsity tennis teams . He coached the girls ' tennis team to the California Interscholastic Federation ( CIF ) tournament finals in 1992 , and was later inducted into Arcadia High School ' s coaching Hall of Fame in 1998 . Duhart was a published poet in his later years and was remembered as a mentor to many students during his long tenure at Arcadia High School . He spoke French fluently , and taught French and history classes at Arcadia . An accomplished athlete who loved sports , he continued to play golf and tennis long into his retirement . Duhart died at his home in Huntington Beach , California , in 2006 ; he was 85 years old .