Carl Etelman
Graduating class: 1920
Inducted into Hall of Fame: 2004
Hall of Fame Category: Athlete
Carl Etelman was a fierce competitor and certainly one of the roughest from the Class of 1920. Captain of the football squad, Carl played quarterback, kicker and was the return specialist. He led the ream to a 5-3-1 record and was known for his shifty speed and dramatic runs on offense. He was also a team a leader in tackles on the defensive side of the balI.
In the dramatic game against New Bedford Textile, the Fairhaven Star described the contest as featuring " two of the best reams that ever played football". A tough opponent, Carl was knocked out for several minutes in the fourth quarter of this game, but refused to be taken out. On the very next play he gained 20 yards on a "zigzag" run.
In his senior season, New Bedford High was added to the schedule as an experiment. It would be the first time in six years that the two schools played since the trouble in 1913 beginning the bitter feud between the two rivals. Played in the mud and rain, Carl scored the lone touchdown in the fourth quarter on a drive that began with a kick that he blocked.
Also captain of the basketball team, Carl played the forward position. Known as the lightening rod because of his speed bringing the ball up the floor, he was also known for his precision passing and ability to score in tight games. The team finished with an impressive 7-2 season his senior year.
Carl was also the president of his class and starred in the "The Workhouse Ward" on drama night.
After graduation Carl went on to a much heralded football career at Tufts College while earning his degree. He won several athletic awards including All New England quarterback. Never sidelined for long by injury, although he had plenty, Carl was all about grit, intensity and determination.
He played one season of professional football for the Boston Bulldogs in the American Football League before turning his attention to a teaching and coaching career at Whitman High School where he remained for 18 years.