Alex Sarkisian

Alex Sarkisian (July 13, 1922 – December 14, 2004) was an American football player of Armenian descent. Sarkisian was born in Istanbul, Turkey. He was chosen as a First Team All-American linebacker in 1948, and was chosen as the Second Team All-American center that same year. He was named All-American by the Associated Press, Central Press Association, International Press, The New York Sun, Newspaper Enterprise Association, The Sporting News, United Press and numerous other publications. He was voted First Team Big Nine by all publications and was described as "The Greatest Standout Of The Entire Eleven First Team Members" of The Big Nine. Alex averaged 59 of 60 minutes played per game for the Wildcats in 1948. He was voted National Lineman of the week in both 1947 and 1948. In 1948 the Wildcats lost two games, one to Michigan the number one ranked team in the nation and the second on a late score by Notre Dame, the number 2 ranked team in the nation. As captain of the Northwestern Wildcats he helped lead the Wildcats to their only Rose Bowl victory in 1949. Coach Robert Voigts said "Sarky was the finest leader he ever had and the best player he ever coached". He was a member of the College All-Stars who played the World Champion Philadelphia Eagles in 1949. He was a high round draft choice of those same Philadelphia Eagles of the NFL, and also a high draft choice of the Cleveland Browns. Paul Brown traded Alex's draft rights for New York's captain and two starters.
Sarkisian was a member of the Northwestern University Hall of Fame, The Indiana Football Hall of Fame and numerous local Halls of Fame. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1998. He was married to Ann Buchakian of Detroit, Michigan and they had four children, three of whom graduated from Northwestern University.