Tippy Dye - Playing Career

Playing Career

Dye enrolled at Ohio State University in 1933 and became a star three-sport athlete for the Buckeyes. He earned three varsity letters as a football quarterback in 1934, 1935, and 1936. His team finished those seasons with records of 7-1, 7-1, and 5-3, respectively, and until 2006 he was the only Buckeye quarterback to win three consecutive games over the University of Michigan. Dye also played guard on the school's basketball team, lettering in 1935, 1936 and 1937. He was an All-Conference selection in the Big Ten in 1936 and 1937. In 1937 he was also the team's captain. Dye lettered in baseball in 1935 and 1936.

After graduation, Dye played in the 1937 College All-Star Football Game against the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field (collegians upset the Packers 6-0). In that game, Dye played in a backfield that included future pro legend, Sammy Baugh. Dye then signed to play with the first incarnation of the Cincinnati Bengals, a member of the second American Football League, in 1937.