Former Duke QB dies at 95

Elmore “Honeyboy” Hackney, Trinity ’38 and former Duke All-America quarterback, died March 5. He was 95.

Born and raised in Durham, Hackney was one of the original Iron Dukes, wrote Daniel Drennon, Trinity ’89 and Hackney’s grand-nephew, in an e-mail last week.

In addition to his accolades as quarterback, Hackney also lettered two seasons as part of Duke’s track and field team, according to a Duke Sports Information news release.

In 1937, Hackney was named a second team All-America and team MVP pick and helped Duke to two league championships in 1935 and 1936, according the release. He was a 12th round pick of the New York Giants in the 1938 NFL draft and became a member of the Duke Sports Hall of Fame in 1981. With 11 punt returns against Colgate in 1936, Hackney still holds the single-game record for punt returns at Duke, the release states.

Following his football career, Hackney worked for the American Tobacco Company in Durham for 42 years and with Duke Athletics in game operations for more than 50 seasons, the release states. He ran the scoreboard for football games at Wallace Wade Stadium and operated concessions for more than 60 years, Drennon wrote.

A memorial service was held for Hackney in Durham March 12.