This week in South King County history.
Red Badgro born December 1, 1902, in Orillia, Washington
Morris Hiram “Red” Badgro was born in Orillia, Washington, in 1902. He became a multi-sport athlete at USC, excelling in football, baseball, and basketball. He played nine seasons in the NFL, most notably with the New York Giants, and was named first-team All-Pro three times. In 1933, he scored the first touchdown in the first NFL Championship Game and later helped the Giants win the 1934 title. Badgro also played professional baseball, including two seasons with the St. Louis Browns. After his playing career, he spent 14 years coaching college football, including a long stretch at the University of Washington. In 1981, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He died in 1998 at the age of 95. Badgro’s career linked early professional football with his hometown roots in Orillia, where he began a life defined by athletic success and long-standing contribution to sport.