Tony Furst
Anthony Raymond Furst was an American football player. He played college football at the University of Dayton and professional football for the Detroit Lions during the 1940, 1941, and 1944 seasons. He also served in the military during World War II and saw combat action during the Guadalcanal campaign.
Early years
Furst was born in Dayton, Ohio, in 1918 and attended Dayton's Chaminade High School. He played college football for the University of Dayton and was part of the Dayton squad that snapped Western Reserve's 27-game winning streak. After his senior season, he was selected to play in the Chicago College All-Star Game.Professional football and military service
After graduating from Dayton, he played professional football in the National Football League as a tackle for the Detroit Lions. He appeared in 19 NFL games, 10 as a starter, during the 1940 and 1941 seasons. During the 1940 season, he played the full 60 minutes in six games. At 215 pounds, he was one of the lightest tackles in the NFL.Furst had served in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps at the University of Dayton and was a military reservist. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he was called to active duty and attained the rank of first lieutenant. He saw combat action in the Guadalcanal campaign, underwent surgery on his veins in New Zealand, and returned to Dayton at the end of 1943.
Furst returned to the Lions in 1944, but appeared in only two games, neither as a starter.