In his three seasons, “Old Ninety-Eight” scored 33 touchdowns, kicked two field goals and kicked 33 points after touchdowns for 237 points, and threw 16 touchdown passes. He gained 3,438 yards rushing and passing, and played almost every minute of his three-year career.
A solid 193 pounds, Harmon was a power runner noted for his cutbacks through tackles-usually with his ripped jersey. He was probably the finest ball carrier in the country in his time. Against Ohio State in his final college football game, Harmon went 11 for 12 throwing the ball for 151 yards and 2 TDs. He also ran for 139 yards and 2 TDs, kicked four extra points and intercepted three passes as the Wolverines trounced Ohio State 40-0. He also averaged 50 yards per punt.
Harmon’s subsequent career in broadcasting is even more outstanding than his football accomplishments. After a four-year stint as a pilot during World War II (he was awarded a Silver Star and the Purple Heart), he married actress Elyse Knox and played for the Los Angeles Rams in 1946 and 1947. In 1949, after experiences as Sports Director of WJR in Detroit and commentator on KIEV in Glendale, he became Sports Director of the Columbia Pacific Network with daily radio and television shows. Tom reported “live” on major sporting events from the Olympics to the Rose Bowl for networks such as CBS, ABC and NBC, eventually totaling over 10,000 broadcasts. Tom broadcasted for the Los Angeles Raiders until he passed away in March of 1990.
Tom was elected to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame in 1954.
