Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Gilmer attended and played high school football at its Woodlawn High School. He often utilized the technique of leaping high into the air to … See more

After high school, Gilmer played college football at the University of Alabama, where he was the left halfback from 1944 to 1947. As a freshman, he was 8 for 8 in passing … See more

Gilmer was the first overall pick in the 1948 NFL draft, selected by the Washington Redskins, where he played from 1948 to 1954. He then was traded to the Detroit Lions for Bert Zagers and Bob Trout, where he played in 1955 and 1956 under head coach See more

After retiring as a player, Gilmer became an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Steelers under Parker in 1957. After four years there and four with the Minnesota Vikings under Norm Van Brocklin, he succeeded George Wilson as Lions head coach in … See more

• List of NCAA major college yearly punt and kickoff return leaders See more

• Groom, Winston. The Crimson Tide – An Illustrated History. Tuscaloosa: The University of Alabama Press, 2000. ISBN 0-8173-1051-7. See more

• Harry Gilmer at the College Football Hall of Fame
• Career statistics from Pro Football Reference
• Gallery of Harry Gilmer football cards See more