Heath, Herman 'Leon' "Mule Train"

Leon Heath,
Oklahoma Sooners 1949

Oklahoman, The (Oklahoma City, OK)
March 25, 2007, pg 31

Leon Heath, a 1950 Oklahoma football All-American and perhaps the greatest fullback in Sooner history, died Friday night in Oklahoma City after a long illness.

“To me, he was the best fullback we ever had,” said OU football historian Mike Treps, who as a high school senior in Dallas saw Heath play in 1950. “I’ve never seen anybody who could hit the hole harder. He was an unbelievable blocker. Just tough as nails.”

Heath came to OU in 1947 from Hollis High School and was dubbed “The Mule Train.”

Heath was voted the outstanding player of the 1950 Sugar Bowl, rushing for 170 yards, including TD runs of 86 and 34 yards.

In 1949, Heath led the nation in yards-per-carry, 9.1. He finished his OU career with 2,018 yards on 287 carries.

Heath lived in Chickasha at the time of his death.

1951 Bowman football card #106: Leon Heath Oklahoman, The (Oklahoma City, OK)
March 26, 2007, pg 11a

Herman "Leon" Heath went to his eternal home in Heaven through the sacrifice of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Friday, March 23, 2007. A devout Christian, husband and father of seven sons.

Leon was an OU Football Legend as varsity fullback 1948-50 and named the Outstanding Player of the 1950 Sugar Bowl, 1950 Consensus All- American, along with many other athletic awards. Leon was born in Hollis, OK in 1928 and graduated Hollis High School in 1947 where he was an All-State Basketball player. He graduated OU in 1950 with a BS in Education and played for the Washington Redskins for three years. Leon interrupted his football career to serve as a 1st Lt. in Field Artillery in the US Army and was the head football coach of the National Service Champs in 1955. Following his football career, he was employed by Baroid Industries as an engineer and senior sales representative, until he retired in 1985.

Leon married Wanda Catherine Cole on August 4, 1950 and had seven boys in fourteen years, all of which survive him: (from oldest to youngest) Steven L. (Cynthia), B. Alan (Becky), David L. (Kristi), M. Don (Marsha), N. Paul, Dennis M. (Kimberly), P. Jay (Mary Lynn). He is also survived by his sister Charlottie Testerman, twelve grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents, George M. Heath and Hattie Hanner Heath; his sisters, Velma Adamole and LaVena Moke; and his brother, Dewey Heath. Serving others and his Lord was Leon's greatest joy. He enjoyed hosting senior groups for Church of Christ Christmas parties and visiting shut-ins. Woodworking in the winter and summer trout fishing with his wife in Southwest Colorado were also favorite pastimes.

His closed casket service will be held at the Southern Oaks Church of Christ in Chickasha on Tues., March 27, 2007 at 10:30 a.m. Interment will be at the Fairlawn Cemetery on North Hwy 81 immediately following. Viewing will be at McRay Funeral Home Mon., March 26 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Leon would be pleased to know that in lieu of flowers, donations were made to Westview Boys Home, 120 West Broadway, PO Box 553, Hollis, OK 73550.

1952 Bowman Small football card #91: Leon Heath CBS Sportsline
http://www.cbs.sportsline.com

March 26, 2007

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Former Oklahoma football All-American Leon Heath has died at 78.

Heath died Friday from natural causes in Oklahoma City after an illness, said Alice Stephenson, a representative of McRay Funeral Home in Chickasha, which is handling the funeral services. Heath was living in Chickasha before his death.

Heath played fullback for the Sooners for coach Bud Wilkinson from 1948 to 1950, earning All-America honors in 1950 when Oklahoma won the first of its seven national championships.

While at Oklahoma, Heath was given the nickname "Mule Train." During a 35-0 win over LSU in the 1950 Sugar Bowl, he scored two touchdowns, one on an 86-yard run that set a school record for the longest postseason run. He was named the game's outstanding player.

Heath was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1951 and played for three seasons until an injury ended his pro career. He later worked for 27 years for Baroid Industrial Drilling Products as an engineer and a salesman.

AP NEWS

Sources: as stated above

Contributed by Marti Graham, March 2007. Information posted as courtesy to researchers. The contributor is not related to nor researching any of the above.