Cornell University Athletics

He is ranked with the greatest collegiate quarterbacks of all time. He was the field general for Coach Gil Dobie's undefeated, national championship teams of 1921, 1922 and 1923, all with 8-0 records. A triple-threat, Pfann had the qualities of both a quarterback and a fullback. He also excelled as a kicker and on defense. He captained the team in 1923 and was named an All-American by Walter Camp. He also won a varsity letter in lacrosse and was on the basketball team for three seasons. His scholastic achievements were no less outstanding. Following graduation with honors from the College of Arts and Sciences, he attended Cornell Law School for two years and then completed his study in law, as a Rhodes Scholar, at Brasenose College of Oxford University, where he starred as a rugby player in 1926 and 1927. During World War II, he served in the European Theatre through the worst of the fighting as Secretary to the General Staff of the United States Seventh and Third Armies under General George Patton. He was inducted into the National Football Hall of Fame in 1957.