Alexander "Red" Webster (April 19, 1931 – March 3, 2012) was an American professional football player who was a fullback and halfback in the Big Four for the Montreal Alouettes and in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants. He was also the head coach of the Giants from 1969 to 1973.

Early life The son of recent Scottish immigrants James and Alexandrina Webster, Alex Webster grew up in Kearny, New Jersey,"Giant Star Compares Grid Loops" , Hartford Courant, December 18, 1955. Accessed March 29, 2011. "Alex Webster returned to his Kearny, N.J. home today, but before he left the former star Montreal Alouette halfback made it clear he "wants to jump back to Canada" rather than play again for the New York Giants in 1956." where he attended and played football at Kearny High School., databaseFootball.com. Accessed July 12, 2007. Webster played a key role on Kearny High School's football team which won the 1948 New Jersey High School State Championship. After losing his father to cancer at an early age in 1941, Webster and his younger brother James were raised with the help of uncles and aunts and excelled in football, earning college scholarships.

As a senior at Kearny High School in 1948, Alex Webster was offered a full-ride scholarship from NFL legend Beattie Feathers to play college football at North Carolina State University. While playing for the Wolfpack, Alex "Big Red" Webster led the Southern Conference in scoring in 1951 with 78 points and remained a standout in 1952 before being drafted into the NFL.

National Football League career Webster was drafted in the 11th round of the 1953 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins, but chose to play professional Canadian football for the Montreal Alouettes from 1953 to 1954. While in Canada, he was named a Big Four all-star in 1954 and played in that year's Grey Cup.

In 1955, Webster returned to the United States and played for the New York Giants from 1955 to 1964. In his first year with the Giants, Webster led the team in rushing with 634 yards. While with the Giants, he rushed for 4,638 yards, caught 240 passes for 2,679 yards, and scored 56 touchdowns (39 rushing and 17 receiving). He was named to the Pro Bowl twice, in 1958 and 1961. With 336 points, Webster is 10th on the Giants' career scoring list.

In 1956, Webster played in the NFL championship game against the Chicago Bears featuring Hall of Fame players and coaches. Webster scored two touchdowns in the second half and contributed with 103 all-purpose yards. The game came to be known as the second "Sneakers Game" because the Giants chose to play in high-top Chuck Taylors due to icy field conditions. The Giants won the game 47–7.

As a player with the New York Giants, Webster played in six NFL Championship games: 1956, 1958, 1959, 1961, 1962, 1963.List of NFL champions (1920–69)

Sportscaster Marty Glickman coined the phrase "a couple or three yards" when describing Webster's running style.Marty Glickman

Webster was considered one of the "all-time great Giants" and in 2011, was inducted into the New York Giants' "Ring of Honor". Alex Webster, LB Brad Van Pelt and Carl Banks, TE Mark Bavaro and P Dave Jennings headlined as the second class of the Giants' Ring of Honor inductees. Webster stated that this honor was among the proudest moments of his life. Webster made his last public speech addressing 80,000 fans in attendance accompanied by his grandsons.

Webster is further honored in the New York Giants' Legacy Club where his vintage #29 game jersey, as well as many historic photographs are displayed.

NFL career statistics Legend Won the NFL championship Led the league Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1955 NYG 12 11 128 634 5.0 71 5 22 269 12.2 48 1 1956 NYG 12 12 178 694 3.9 34 7 21 197 9.4 43 3 1957 NYG 11 10 135 478 3.5 34 5 30 330 11.0 41 1 1958 NYG 9 8 100 398 4.0 54 3 25 279 11.2 37 3 1959 NYG 10 8 79 250 3.2 16 5 27 381 14.1 43 2 1960 NYG 8 1 22 48 2.2 10 0 8 106 13.3 27 0 1961 NYG 14 14 196 928 4.7 59 2 26 313 12.0 59 3 1962 NYG 14 14 207 743 3.6 55 5 47 477 10.1 58 4 1963 NYG 7 7 75 255 3.4 12 4 15 128 8.5 19 0 1964 NYG 12 4 76 210 2.8 14 3 19 199 10.5 40 0 109 89 1,196 4,638 3.9 71 39 240 2,679 11.2 59 17

Playoffs Year Team Games Rushing Receiving GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1956 NYG 1 1 12 27 2.3 6 2 5 76 15.2 50 0 1958 NYG 2 2 24 86 3.6 12 0 5 61 12.2 31 0 1959 NYG 1 1 8 25 3.1 9 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 1961 NYG 1 1 7 19 2.7 7 0 3 5 1.7 5 0 1962 NYG 1 1 15 56 3.7 12 0 1 5 5.0 5 0 1963 NYG 1 0 3 7 2.3 6 0 1 18 18.0 18 0 109 89 1,196 4,638 3.9 71 39 240 2,679 11.2 59 17

NFL coaching career Webster eventually became an assistant Giant coach under Allie Sherman, and was promoted to head coach in September 1969. He was named UPI NFL Coach of the Year in 1970, as the Giants finished second in the NFC East at 9–5–0, but a 2–11–1 record in 1973 forced him to resign after five seasons. His overall Giant coaching record was 29 wins, 40 losses, and one tie. His successors, Bill Arnsbarger and John McVay, had similar outcomes as the team struggled through the 1970s.

Head coaching record NFL Team Year Regular season PostseasonWon LostTiesWin %FinishWonLostWin %Result NYG 1969680 2nd in NFL Century – – – – NYG 1970950 2nd in NFC East – – – – NYG 19714100 5th in NFC East – – – – NYG 1972860 3rd in NFC East – – – – NYG 19732111 5th in NFC East – – – – Total 29 40 1 – –

Personal life Webster married Louise Eggers in 1952, and had two children (Debra and James), four grandchildren (Kyle, Craig, Tammy, and Alexis), three nephews (Mark, David, and Todd), and a niece (Kristen). Webster also had four grandnieces: Elena, Alexandra, Alexandrina, and Maryn, and great-grandchildren Rachel and Colt.

After retiring from the NFL, Webster worked in sales and public relations for Nabisco until the early 1990s. Webster also worked in public relations for the Dinah Shore Golf Classic, appearing with former athletes and celebrities such as Joe DiMaggio, Willie Mays, Charley Conerley, Frank Gifford, Bob Hope, and President Gerald R. Ford. Webster served as a color commentator for the New York Giants radio broadcasts in the 1960s.

On January 27, 1977, at Toots Shor's funeral, Webster served as an honorary pallbearer along with Pete Rozelle, Art Rooney, Bowie Kuhn, Frank Gifford, Walter Cronkite and Howard Cosell.

Webster owned two restaurants after retiring from the NFL. His first restaurant was called The Stadium, located in Sea Girt, New Jersey, where he lived while he was a coach with the Giants.Sullivan, Joseph F. "Sherwin's Bribery Trial Hears Opening Statements; Proceeding Against Cahill's Secretary of State and 2 Others May Become Test of Trenton Administration", The New York Times, October 17, 1972. Accessed November 23, 2015. "Even Alex Webster, the coach of the New York Giants, is listed among the potential witnesses. He is a resident of Sea Girt and is expected to be called as one of a number of character witnesses." The interior was decorated with sports memorabilia from the New York Giants, New York Yankees and other professional teams. The other restaurant was called Alex Webster's and located in Tequesta, Florida.

On Nov. 18, 1962, Webster made a guest appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show (Episode #16.8).

Webster appeared on the gameshow Password which aired on March 16, 1964, with teammate Frank Gifford & actress Betsy Palmer (Season 4, Episode 48).

Death Webster died March 3, 2012, in Port St. Lucie, Florida, aged 80. NY Post, March 3, 2012New York Times, 3 March 2012New York Times Obituary, 5 March, 2012

References

External links CFLapedia