Members
Inductee
KARRAS, LOU
KARRAS, LOU
Born on September 19, 1927
Gary, IN
September 20, 2018, one day after celebrating his 91st birthday.
Inducted On
May 18, 2003
Location Inducted
Merrillville, IN
Region Number
1
Gary Emerson
Player
Gary Emerson
1946
All-State in football for 3 years; All-Conference; team captain.
Purdue University
1950
4-year letterman; Most Valuable Player 1949; played in East-West Game and the Hula Bowl; played on Chicago All-Star Team against world champion Philadelphia Eagles; selected by Notre Dame (#1 in the nation) to Top Opponent Team 1948; led his team in an agonizingly close 28-27 defeat by Notre Dame.
Mother was only woman to be inducted into NFL Football Hall of Fame because she had 3 sons playing professional football; Alex Karras played for Detroit Lions, Ted Karras played for Chicago Bears, and Lou played for Washington Redskins; served as President of Purdue Alumni Association of Lake County, IN; was Democratic City Chairman of Gary; served as President of City of Gary Common Council; President of Karras Tire in Crown Point, IN, retiring in 1990; served as President of the Indiana Tire Dealers Assoc. and of National Tire Dealers; served as President of All-American Sertoma Club of Clearwater, FL; inducted into Ahepa Hall of Fame in 1995.
Wife, Dorothy (deceased); three daughters who graduated from Purdue University, Deborah (Greg), Pamela (Bruce), and Christine (Brian); step-sons, Bruce (deceased) (Sheri), Wayne (Vivian), and Larry (Laura); 10 grandchildren.
Professional Athletic Background: Played for Washington Redskins 1950-1953; was a starter his rookie year; sustained an eye injury in 1952 season which ultimately ended his career.