About Lou Partlow
Lived 1892 – 1981 (aged 88). Lou Partlow was an American american football player.
Louis (or Lewis) Jerald Partlow (October 9, 1892 – April 14, 1981) was a running back who played ten seasons with the Dayton Triangles in the National Football League (NFL). He is always remembered for being the first professional footballer to score an official touchdown in NFL history.
Lou Partlow started in 1914 with the West Carrollton Paper Company team, where he earned the nickname "West Carrollton Battering Ram" due to his training routine which involved deliberately smashing into trees.
Partlow retired in 1927.
Early life Louis was the seventh child (of eleven) born to Adam Granville Partlow (1857–1928) and Amanda Isabell Muirhead (1864–1947). His siblings: Clara, George, William Jesse, Gussie, Mary, Frank, Vernie (who died in early childhood), Madge, Violet and Dorothy.
Personal life He went by "Lou".
He married Ruth Eloda Myers (1893–1981). She was the daughter of John Henry Myers and Mary Hipple. They had two daughters. The family lived in Ohio for many years, but in the 1950s Lou and Ruth moved to California. This is where they lived out the rest of their long lives, and are buried. Lou died at the age of 88, and Ruth at the age of 86. They are buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills.
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Important facts
People in Lou Partlow's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Lou Partlow's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Lou Partlow?
American football player (1892-1981)
When was Lou Partlow born?
Lou Partlow was born on 9 October 1892 in Miamisburg.
When did Lou Partlow die?
Lou Partlow died on 14 April 1981 in Burbank.
What was Lou Partlow's occupation?
Lou Partlow was an american football player.
What nationality was Lou Partlow?
Lou Partlow was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Lou Partlow. https://biography.guide/lou-partlow/
MLA: "Lou Partlow." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/lou-partlow/.
Chicago: "Lou Partlow." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/lou-partlow/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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