Today's Tidbit... Lou "The Toe" Groza Has His Tape Snipped

Lou Groza was an all-state tackle in high school and played freshman football under Paul Brown at Ohio State in 1943. However, Uncle Sam requested his services for a few years, and upon mustering out, he opted to join Paul Brown and the Cleveland Brown of the All-America Football Conference. Groza spent his first two years as a kicking specialist before joining the offensive line at tackle. Nevertheless, Groza earned his nickname, The Toe, by never missing an extra point in four years and making a high percentage of field goals.

While playing in the AAFC, Groza lined up his kicks using a tape he stored in his helmet. However, before the Browns' first season in the NFL, the league banned kicking tapes and similar aids, so Groza kicked bareback the rest of his career.

'Groza Uses Science for Near Kicking,' Arizona Republic, October 23, 1946.

Below are images of a commercially manufactured kicking tee with a guide tape. Likely used as a training aid, the tape could be shifted from the right to the left side, depending on the kicker.

The tee and its lengthy guide. (Courtesy of Ron Pomfrey)

The ball rested in the pocket on the top of the tee, (Courtesy of Ron Pomfrey)

The strap could be shifted from side to side. (Courtesy of Ron Pomfrey)

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