Arnold Galiffa

Arnold Anthony Galiffa (January 29, 1927 – September 5, 1978) was an American professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Army Black Knights, then played professionally in both the NFL and CFL. He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.

Biography Galiffa was born in and attended high school in Donora, Pennsylvania. There, he played several sports and earned all-state honors in basketball and football; he graduated in 1945. In January 1946, Galiffa received an appointment to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York; at the time, he was already a private in the United States Army.

Galiffa played multiple sports for the Army Cadets, as they were then known, earning a total of 11 varsity letters: and was a consensus selection to the 1949 College Football All-America Team.

Galiffa graduated from West Point in June 1950, and was married that month to Margaret "Peggy" Perdok. Galiffa went on to serve as a second lieutenant during the Korean War.

Galiffa was then signed by the Toronto Argonauts, who needed a new quarterback due to injury. In 12 games with the 1956 Toronto Argonauts, he passed for 3,682 yards and 32 touchdowns. Galiffa did not play professionally after 1956.

Outside of football, Galiffa worked for U.S. Steel for 23 years in operational staff services. as of February 1963, he was president of the council.

Illness and death Galiffa died from cancer in September 1978, and was survived by his wife and three children.

Honors Galiffa was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983, and the Army Sports Hall of Fame in 2007.