Jesse Hibbs

Jesse Hibbs may be known more for his success on the gridiron than behind a camera. Hibbs was twice an All-American offensive tackle for the University of Southern California and played on the storied football program's first national championship team in 1928. His career in the pros, with the Chicago Bears, lasted just one season. However, Hibbs had far more staying power in Hollywood. After a few forgettable acting jobs, he went on to serve as an assistant director on 50 films, including "Knute Rockne All American" and "Winchester '73," over nearly 20 years. Finally, in 1953, Hibbs helmed football drama, "The All-American." He would direct nine more feature films in five years, frequently working with World War II hero turned matinee idol, Audie Murphy. Perhaps their most famous collaboration was "To Hell and Back" which was based on Murphy's autobiography. After 1958, Hibbs spent the remainder of his directing career in television, helming mostly Westerns ("Rawhide," "Gunsmoke") and law and order dramas ("Perry Mason," "The F.B.I.").