Jump to content

Toppy Vann

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Toppy Vann
No. 99[1]
Vann in 1957
Born:1936 (age 88–89)
Career information
CFL statusAmerican
Position(s)QB
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight190 lb (86 kg)
CollegeGeorgia Tech
High schoolRossville (Georgia)
Career history
As player
1957BC Lions
Career stats
Passing comp18
Passing att33
Passing yards254
Passing TDs3

Ronald T. "Toppy" Vann (born 1936) is an American former professional football quarterback who played one season with the BC Lions of the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU). He played college football at Georgia Tech.

Early life

[edit]

Ronald T. Vann was born in 1936.[1] He attended Rossville High School in Rossville, Georgia.[1]

College career

[edit]

Vann played college football for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets of the Georgia Institute of Technology. He was on the freshman team in 1953 and the main roster from 1954 to 1956.[1] He was a letterman during the 1955 and 1956 seasons.[1] Vann completed five of five passes for 34 yards in 1954.[2] As a junior in 1955, he split time with Wade Mitchell.[3] The Associated Press noted that Vann "relieves regular Wade Mitchell much of the time when Tech goes to the air."[3] Vann led the team in passing yards during the 1955 season, completing 21 of 36 passes (58.3%) for 270 yards, one touchdown, and three touchdowns while also rushing for 111 yards and six touchdowns.[2] As a senior in 1956, he shared the quarterbacking duties with Mitchell again, completing 34 of 65 passes (52.3%) for 446 yards, six touchdowns, and four interceptions while running for 97 yards and five touchdowns.[4][2] Vann's six passing touchdowns were tied for the most in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) that year.[5] Mitchell also played on defense but Vann did not.[4] The Atlanta Journal noted that Vann was "one of the best offensive T-formation operators in the SEC."[4] He majored in industrial engineering at Georgia Tech.[6]

Professional career

[edit]

In May 1957, Vann signed a one-year contract worth approximately $10,000 with the BC Lions of the Western Interprovincial Football Union.[4] He played in five games, starting three, for the Lions during the 1957 season, completing 18 of 33 passes (54.5%) for 254 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions while also scoring one rushing touchdown.[7][1] He suffered season-ending torn knee ligaments early in the year.[8] Vann later had surgery to repair his knee.[9] In April 1958, it was reported that his knee had fully healed.[10] However on May 20, 1958, he announced his retirement, with the Canadian Press stating that Vann "decided not to gamble" with his knee.[9]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f "RON VANN". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "Toppy Vann". Sports Reference. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Pitt Relies On Power". The Oregon Daily Journal. Associated Press. December 31, 1955. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d "Tech's Toppy Vann Signed To 1-Year Pact by Vancouver". The Atlanta Journal. May 14, 1957. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  5. ^ "1956 Southeastern Conference Year Summary". Sports Reference. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  6. ^ Gammon, Wirt (December 1, 1957). "Lines on Local Sports". Chattanooga Daily Times. p. 56. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  7. ^ "Ron Vann". Stats Crew. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  8. ^ Boyd, Denny (December 17, 1957). "Lions, Canadian Ball All Topps With Toppy". The Vancouver Sun. p. 19. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Lions Replace Toppy Vann With Utah Quarter". Edmonton Journal. Canadian Press. May 21, 1958. p. 43. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  10. ^ Kearney, Jim (April 15, 1958). "Clem back, Lions have 'sleepers'". The Province. p. 11. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ron Vann.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Toppy_Vann&oldid=1301867460"