Bob Shaw
American and Canadian football player, coach, and executive
About Bob Shaw
Lived 1921 – 2011 (aged 89). Bob Shaw was an American basketball player and american football player.
Robert Shaw (May 22, 1921 – April 10, 2011) was an American football player and coach. He played professionally as an end in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes.
Early life Shaw lettered three times each in football, basketball and track at Fremont Ross High School. He was first-team All-Ohio in both football and basketball and won the shot put and discus in the state track and field meet. At Ohio State University, he lettered twice in football. Playing right end, on both offense and defense, Shaw was part of the Buckeyes' first NCAA national championship team in 1942 and was named a first-team All American for that season. He also lettered in basketball and track, helping the Buckeyes to their first Western Conference track crown in 1942. Shaw was inducted into Ohio State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1996.
He served with the 104th Infantry Division in the European Theater during World War II, and he was subsequently awarded a Bronze Star Medal. He later completed his bachelor's degree in education at Otterbein College.
Professional football career Shaw began his NFL career began in 1945 when he joined the Cleveland Rams. He played as an end. The Rams won the championship in his rookie year. In the off-season, he played for the Toledo Jeeps of the National Basketball League.
He played for the Cleveland/Los Angeles Rams (1945–1949) and the Chicago Cardinals (1950). He was the NFL leader in receiving touchdowns with 12 in 1950 and was the first player to catch five touchdowns in a game. He played two seasons for the Calgary Stampeders, winning the Dave Dryburgh Memorial Trophy in 1951 and 1952. After his release by Calgary, he signed with the Toronto Argonauts in late September 1953 on the strength of his place-kicking.
After his retirement, Shaw served as an assistant coach with the Baltimore Colts, and San Francisco 49ers before becoming head coach of the New Mexico Military Institute in 1960. In three seasons at NMMI, Shaw had a 22–6–1 record. He later moved to the Canadian Football League where he coached the Saskatchewan Roughriders to a 16–14–2 record over two seasons and the Toronto Argonauts to an 8–20 record from 1965 to 1966. In 1976, he won the Annis Stukus Trophy (coach of the year) while with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
He lived in Cooksville during his time coaching the Argos.
Personal life and death Shaw died April 10, 2011, at his home in Westerville, Ohio, after a brief illness at the age of 89. He was predeceased by his wife of 63 years, Mary Garr.
Head coaching record College
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Important facts
People in Bob Shaw's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Bob Shaw's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Bob Shaw?
American and Canadian football player, coach, and executive (1921-2011)
When was Bob Shaw born?
Bob Shaw was born on 22 May 1921 in Richwood.
When did Bob Shaw die?
Bob Shaw died on 10 April 2011 in Westerville.
What was Bob Shaw's occupation?
Bob Shaw was a basketball player and american football player.
What nationality was Bob Shaw?
Bob Shaw was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Bob Shaw. https://biography.guide/bob-shaw-basketball-player/
MLA: "Bob Shaw." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/bob-shaw-basketball-player/.
Chicago: "Bob Shaw." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/bob-shaw-basketball-player/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-24 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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