Dekdebrun transferred to Cornell after attending Columbia his freshman year, and became a three-year letterman in football (1943, 1944 and 1945). As a senior in 1945, Dekdebrun captained the team and started every game at quarterback. Dekdebrun led the nation in passing that year, completing 90-of-194 passes for 1,227 yards in nine games. He played for the East squad in the annual East-West Shrine Game on New Year’s Day 1946. Dekdebrun started at quarterback and led the East squad on a 42-yard touchdown drive, giving his team a tie with the West team. He was awarded the William M. Kaufman Trophy as the outstanding player in the game. The previous year, Dekdebrun was named honorable mention All-American. In 1950 he was named to the Honor Roll of Modern All-Shrine Squads and Games from 1939 through 1950. After graduation, he played professional ball in the United States and Canada and was selected to the All-Canadian Pro team while a member of the Toronto Argonauts in 1950.
