Sac History Happenings: In History's Spotlight: Don Doll

Sac History Happenings

News and developments in Sacramento and California history

May 1, 2011

In History's Spotlight: Don Doll

Born: Aug. 29, 1926
Died: Sept. 22, 2010

Known for: Grant High School athlete Don Doll was a four-time All-Pro defensive back with the Detroit Lions who intercepted 41 passes in his NFL career.

Background: Doll, known as Don Burnside during his prep career, was named Cal-Hi Sports' State Player of the Year for football as a quarterback in 1943. He is one of only four Sacramento-area players to earn that honor. He led the University of Southern California in rushing three times. His USC career was interrupted by World War II. He was named all-conference at USC in 1947 and 1948. He was a fourth-round selection in the 1949 National Football League draft for the Lions. He holds Detroit's record for interceptions in a season (12) and return yards (301). He was named most valuable player in the 1953 Pro Bowl game. He coached USC's football team in 1957 and 1958.

A highlight: On Oct. 23, 1949, Doll intercepted four passes in a 24-7 victory over the Chicago Cardinals, an NFL record he shares with 17 players.

In History's Spotlight profiles of Sacramento newsmakers were published originally in 2007 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of The Sacramento Bee. They were written by Anthony Sorci. Look for them every Sunday in Sac History Happenings.

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California and Sacramento have a long, rich, vibrant history. And our region is blessed with an abundance of historical resources maintained by museums, libraries, archives and societies. This blog aims to alert readers to the latest developments in local/state historical education and research.

Send tips concerning upcoming exhibits, tours, lectures and meetings, as well as new books, magazine articles and online collections to the blog's contributors.

The Contributors:

Michael Dolgushkin

Michael Dolgushkin is Manuscript Librarian at the California State Library History Section. He is co-author of San Francisco's California Street Cable Cars and is a frequent contributor to the California State Library Foundation Bulletin. Contact him at mdolgushkin@library.ca.gov.

Amanda Graham is a Certified Archivist working in the Sacramento Room of the Sacramento Public Library. She earned a BS in History from Southern Oregon University and a MS in Information Studies with an emphasis in archives from The University of Texas at Austin. Contact her at agraham@saclibrary.org.

Pete Basofin is Director of Editorial Research at The Sacramento Bee. He previously worked at The St. Petersburg Times and Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune. Contact him at pbasofin@sacbee.com.

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