94. John "Choppy" Rhodes
Football, Track & Field, Baseball, Basketball / Ansley / 1902 or 1903-1951
QUICK FACTS:
Played for: Ansley High and Nebraska Cornhuskers
Best moment(s) as an athlete: Nebraska's two wins against Notre Dame and its legendary "Four Horsemen." From 1922 through 1924, the Fighting Irish went 27-2-1, with their only losses coming to the Huskers. Rhodes also went on to score a crucial touchdown in 1925 in a 14-0 win over Red Grange and Illinois. Grange was held scoreless at home for the only time in his career.
John "Choppy" Rhodes was the pride of the town of Ansley in Custer County and was known for his all-around athletic skills.
Rhodes held three state high school track records at the same time (vault, long jump, high jump), helped Ansley win a pair of state basketball titles and also played baseball. He was the first state gold medal winner to clear 6 feet in the high jump and the first winner beyond 21-2 in the long jump.
He was player/coach of Ansley's first football team in 1920, and was later selected to the Omaha World-Herald's first all-state football team in 1921.
After graduating from high school in 1922, Rhodes went on to earn eight varsity letters at the University of Nebraska -- three in football and track, and two in baseball -- one of only six athletes to accomplish the feat at the time.
As an end for the Huskers, Rhodes went on to earn all-conference honors in 1924, and in 1925 helped the Nebraska baseball team capture a conference title. He also went on to win the all-around championship at the University of Illinois Relays in 1926.
Rhodes, who operated an automobile dealership in Spalding and died at the age of 48, followed up his athletic endeavors by coaching several sports. He coached NU's baseball team for two seasons, and went on to coach football at Wyoming and the St. Louis pro football team. He also coached the Blair Bears for three seasons.
-- Joe Clark
QUICK FACTS:
Played for: Ansley High and Nebraska Cornhuskers
Best moment(s) as an athlete: Nebraska's two wins against Notre Dame and its legendary "Four Horsemen." From 1922 through 1924, the Fighting Irish went 27-2-1, with their only losses coming to the Huskers. Rhodes also went on to score a crucial touchdown in 1925 in a 14-0 win over Red Grange and Illinois. Grange was held scoreless at home for the only time in his career.
