Bruce McLenna


Bruce Oliver McLenna was an American professional football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan in 1961 and for Hillsdale College in 1964 and 1965. He played in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions in 1966 and was later signed by the Kansas City Chiefs. In June 1968, he was killed in an automobile accident at age 26 while riding in a military vehicle as part of his service in the Missouri National Guard.

Early life

A native of Holly, Michigan, McLenna grew up in Fenton, Michigan.

College career

McLenna played college football as a halfback for the University of Michigan in 1961. He gained 43 net rushing yards on 14 rushing attempts in 1961 and scored touchdowns against Army and [1961 Ohio State Buckeyes American football|football team|Ohio State]. He was listed on the 1962 roster at the fullback and end positions, but he was ruled academically ineligible to play for Michigan's football team in late August 1962.
McLenna transferred to Hillsdale College where he became a star running back for the Hillsdale Chargers football team. He played for Hillsdale in 1964 and 1965 and was the leading scorer in the state in 1964. He was also selected as Hillsdale's most valuable player in 1965. He was also selected for the "Little All-America" team.

Professional career

McLenna was drafted by the Detroit Lions in the ninth round of the 1965 NFL draft, but he opted to continue playing for Hillsdale College in 1965. He played at the halfback position for the 1966 Detroit Lions, appearing in the first nine games of the 1966 NFL season. However, he sustained a knee injury in the ninth game and missed the remainder of the season. McLenna underwent knee surgery in November 1966. In March 1967, the Lions traded McLenna to the New Orleans Saints for Charlie Bradshaw. He was cut by the Saints before the start of the 1967 regular season. He then signed with the Kansas City Chiefs and played on the Chiefs' practice squad during the 1967 season.

Death

McLenna died in June 1968 at Urbana, Missouri. He was killed in an automobile crash while traveling in a military vehicle from Ft. Leonard Wood to Camp Clark at Nevada, Missouri. According to an account of the accident published in The Sporting News, McLenna was riding in the rear of a military truck as part of a two-week assignment with the 1975th Military Police Battalion. The truck was sideswiped by a civilian automobile on U.S. Highway 65. McLenna was attempting to fulfill his service obligation with the Missouri National Guard before the start of the 1968 AFL season.