Bob Masterson
Robert Patrick Masterson was an American professional football end in the National Football League. He played six seasons for the Washington Redskins.
Playing
Masterson was born in North Branch, New Jersey. He attended Roselle High School, where he was an all-state baseball player and also played basketball and track and field. He did not play football until his senior year. He was an all-state selection at tackle and helped RHS to an undefeated season and a state title. After a couple of seasons of semipro baseball, Masterson enrolled in the University of Miami, where he was converted from tackle to end by coach Irl Tubbs.Masterson selected in the sixth round of the 1938 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears. He did not believe he was good enough to play professional football and did not sign with the Bears, who traded his rights to the Washington Redskins for a draft pick. Washington coach Ray Flaherty gave Masterson $300 to sign his contract, which he accepted to help his large family during the Great Depression. Masterson played for Washington from 1938 to 1943 and was a second team All-Pro selection in 1942 and 1943. He sought a raise in 1944, but owner George Preston Marshall refused. He was instead traded to the Brooklyn Tigers as part of a six-player swap. He did not receive the raise he sought, so in 1946, he jumped to the All-America Football Conference.