Ralph “Jake” Lanum, a letterman in 1918 for coach Bob Zuppke, was born on Sunday's date in 1896. He helped “Zup’s” Illini win the Western Conference title that season with a 4-0 record, posting shutouts at Iowa (12-0), at Wisconsin (22-0) and at Chicago, as well as at Illinois Field vs. Ohio State.
Lanum played for George Halas’ Decatur Staleys in 1920 (10-1-2) and the Chicago Staleys in 1921 (10-1-1). The team was renamed the Chicago Bears by Halas in 1922, and Lanum continued playing for the club through the 1924 season. During those last three years in Chicago, Lanum and the Bears had a cumulative record of 24-6-5.
Illini legends, lists and lore: Jake Lanum
