George Speth

George Carl Speth (July 25, 1918 – August 24, 2011) was an American professional football player.

Speth was born in Buffalo, New York, in 1918. He attended and played for Seneca Vocational High School and then played college football at Murray State from 1938 to 1941. He was named by the Associated Press to the 1941 All-Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football team.

He was selected 165th overall by the Detroit Lions in the 18th round of the 1942 NFL draft. He appeared in 11 NFL games, five as a starter at tackle for the Lions during the 1942 season. He earned $2,500 per week while playing for the Lions.

Speth served as a lieutenant in the Marine Corps during World War II. He struck a deal with the Marines to allow him to play one year in the NFL before going on active duty, where he also played a season with the 1943 Camp Lejeune Marines team. He then served in the battles of Peleliu and Okinawa as a platoon commander with the 5th Marines.

After his playing career ended, he worked as a coach at McKinley High School in Buffalo, New York. After retiring, he moved to Florida, where he died in 2011 in Port Richey, Florida.