Jake Lanum


Ralph Lewis "Jake" Lanum was a professional American football player who played running back for five seasons for the Chicago Bearsand its predecessors the Decatur Staleys and the Chicago Staleys.
Lanum was a starting fullback and also handled some kicking duties on the 1919 Illinois Fighting Illini football National Championship team.
After football, Lanum moved to Hammond, Indiana, working mostly in the oil industry. In retirement he returned to Illinois, living in Homewood, where he died in 1968 at the age of 71.