“Gentleman, scholar, athlete.” No other phrase seems as appropriate in describing former Tennessee and NFL standout, Ed Cifers. The talented Kingsport native was the first player east of Knoxville to be named to the high school all-state team. After an outstanding high school career at Dobyns-Bennett, Cifers chose UT, and in three seasons under Coach General Robert Neyland, he played in three post-season bowl games from 1938 to 1940. Starting at tight end, Cifers was a member of three SEC championship teams that compiled a 31-2 record. In 1965 he was named to Sports Illustrated’s Silver Anniversary All-America team and in 1975 was inducted into the East Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation and Hall of Fame. Upon graduation from Tennessee, Cifers played five seasons in the National Football League with the Washington Redskins and the Chicago Bears. He started his pro career with the Redskins in 1941 and in 1942 was a key member of Washington’s NFL Championship team. That same year he was named to the UPI All-Pro Squad. His career was interrupted before the start of the 1943 season by his call to service during World War II. Then in 1944, his career was nearly ended by a car accident in which he suffered a broken back. Despite the magnitude of his injuries, Cifers returned to pro football after the war, playing one year with Washington and two with the Chicago Bears. He returned to Knoxville in 1949, where he had a successful career in the contracting and construction business.
