Ernie Case (2011) - Hall of Fame

Ernie Case

Induction:
2011

Case played varsity football at UCLA in 1940-41 and then from 1945-46 after serving in World War II. Case sat out the 1940 season and was the second-string quarterback in 1941 before leaving after that season to enlist in the Army Air Corps. Case became a fighter pilot and was captured by enemy forces after being shot down over Sardinia on his 12th combat mission. He sustained severe injuries, including a broken hip and several cracked ribs, and was taken as a POW. Hospitalized in Chieti, Italy, Case and a buddy managed to escape on Sept. 25, 1943 when the U.S. 5th and English 8th armies attacked. On the lam for a month, Case and his friend finally reach safety when they found the encampment of the Canadian 8th Army in Trivento - some 77 miles from Chieti. Decorated with a two Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart and an Air Medal with a Gold Leaf Cluster, Case returned to start at quarterback and served as team captain for the 1945 Bruins. Again serving as team captain in his senior season of 1946, Case led the Bruins to one of their best years ever. The Bruins posted a 10-0 regular season record and outscored opponents, 313-72, before falling in the 1947 Rose Bowl game. Case threw for a Rose Bowl-record 165 yards, rushed for a touchdown and kicked two extra points in the Bruins' loss to Illinois. Case's first quarter TD run resulted in the first ever postseason points for UCLA. Throughout his career at UCLA, Case also played defense, served as the place kicker and punted (notably a 70-yarder on his first career attempt). Case was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the 6th overall pick in the 1947 NFL Draft, eventually signed by the Baltimore Colts and played one season in the NFL before returning to Southern California.