Furlonge Harold Flynn (December 27, 1901 – November 1, 1977) was an American football player and aviation pioneer. He played guard and tackle in the National Football League (NFL) with the Hartford Blues for one season after playing collegiate ball at Cornell.
Early life and education
Flynn was born on December 27, 1901, in Waterford, New York. He attended St. Bernard's School. Flynn played college football at Cornell University, where he majored in mechanical engineering. He was one of their top guards during the 1922 season and was named a Walter Camp All-American. He was not selected to certain All-East teams, but was mentioned as "coming close to the top and failing [to make the team] ... only because there were so few places to fill." Herbert Reed, writer for the New York Evening Post, named Flynn to the All-Eastern honor roll following the season and gave Flynn a special mention in his report. A journalist for The Ithaca Journal wrote of him: "Flynn of Cornell I like especially in his big game because it was always possible for the backs to feel that they had a first down over him, and also because he could break out and support either side of the line on defense."
After just a single season of varsity football, Flynn left the Cornell squad in 1923.
Professional career
Shortly before the start of the 1926 NFL season, Flynn was signed by the Hartford Blues, despite being out of the sport for the prior three seasons. He appeared at the team's first practice, and spectators of the event "marveled" at how the 210-pound lineman could "spread himself about the field with so little effort." The Blues originally had him at right tackle.
The season began with an exhibition against the Brooklyn Naval Hospital on September 19, which the Blues won 33–7. Flynn did not see action in the match. At a practice held on September 23, Flynn played tackle on the first-team roster. A report in the Hartford Courant said the following: "Flynn, who has just joined the squad permanently, looks like the proper mate for [Ernie] McCann at the tackle post, although he will have to fight off the advances of none other than the former Notre Dame lineman and professional pugilist, and present day movie actor, Ed[sic] (Heck) Garvey of Holyoke, Mass. There will be plenty of room on the squad for Flynn if he carries his enthusiasm into the big schedule. Flynn is a Cornell man, having played in the line that opened the way for the great runs of Eddie Kaw and George Pfann in days gone by. He is a big, powerful boy and moves with exceptional alacrity for one carrying so much weight."
The regular season for Hartford began on September 26, as they faced the New York Giants in their first-ever game of NFL play. 6,500 fans attended the match, played at the East Hartford Velodrome. On the first play of the game, Giants guard Doc Alexander fumbled and Hartford recovered at the 30-yard line. It was the only high point for the Blues, as they failed a field goal attempt on their ensuing drive and finished the game without a single first down, as New York won 21–0. Flynn made an appearance as a substitute for left guard Elmer McCormick early in the game.
At practices held in the week following the Giants game, Hartford had Flynn play as the starting left guard. On October 1, the Blues traveled to Philadelphia, for their game with the Frankford Yellow Jackets on October 2. A total of 15,000 fans packed Frankford Stadium and saw the Yellow Jackets defeat Hartford 13–0. Flynn was the starting left guard for the Blues and was replaced by Stan Sieracki after a time.
When the game finished, both Frankford and the Blues caught trains heading to Hartford, where a second game between the two teams was played on October 3. Frankford won for the second consecutive time, this time by a score of 10–0. Flynn remained in his starting left guard position and "performed well in the line throughout, playing most of the game."
After cancelling a game with the Columbus Tigers scheduled for October 9, the Blues traveled to New York City to play the Brooklyn Lions at Ebbets Field on October 10. Before just 1,000 fans, the Blues lost their fourth straight game 0–6. Rather than play his usual left guard position, Flynn started at right tackle and Eddie Keenan took his place at left guard.