Gibby Welch

Gilbert Laverne "Gibby" Welch (December 24, 1904 – February 10, 1984) was an American football player who played college football for the University of Pittsburgh. He broke Red Grange's single-season yardage record in 1926 and was an All-American in 1927. He later played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Yankees in 1928 and the Providence Steam Roller in 1929.

Biography Early life Welch was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, and attended Parkersburg High School, where he was successful in football, basketball and track. Welch also ran track for Pitt in 1926, 1927 and 1928.

Welch played left halfback in the single-wing offense run by coach Jock Sutherland in 1926 and 1927.

In 1926, Welch broke the single-season yardage record set by Red Grange, gaining 1,964 yards in just nine games.

1927 season Welch was the captain of the football and track teams as a senior. United Press, Collier's Weekly, Central Press Association, Hearst newspapers, New York Sun, Billy Evans, and the Walter Camp Football Foundation.

Welch (with ball) tied a Pittsburgh school record with this 105-yard kickoff return against West Virginia in 1927. Pitt won the game 40–0. Highlights of Welch's 1927 All-American season include the following: In a 21-13 win over Nebraska, Welch took the opening kickoff and ran 84 yards for a touchdown. Welch also had a 105-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against West Virginia in 1927. His 105-yard return was the longest run of the year in college football. In late November 1927, Welch had another big game in a 30-0 win over Penn State. One newspaper writer noted that Welch "ripped the Penn State line to shreds, bent the Lion ends almost double with his wide sweeping runs, and kicked and passed in almost uncanny form when necessary." Welch also led Pitt to their first bowl game, the 1928 Rose Bowl game against Stanford. In a 7-6 Stanford win, Welch was held to 50 yards, as one reporter noted: "Gibby Welch, Pitt's All-American halfback, was a tower of strength for his alma mater, but Stanford had been coached to watch the stocky halfback who made eastern grid circles buzz this season."

Professional football Welch also played professional football for the New York Yankees in 1928 and the Providence Steam Roller in 1929.

Later life After leaving professional football, Welch worked as a football coach at Morris Harvey College in 1931.

Death and legacy Welch made his home during his final years in the Beechview neighborhood of southwestern Pittsburgh. He died February 10, 1984, at St. Francis General Hospital in Pittsburgh. He was 79 years old at the time of his death.

In 1956, the Charleston Daily Mail called Welch "one of the most fabulous characters ever produced in West Virginia athletics." Welch's career total of 4,108 total yards remained a school record at Pitt for more than half a century, until it was finally broken by Tony Dorsett in 1976.

Head coaching record