OMAHA – Omaha Athletics is mourning the passing of yet another of its greatest athletes. UNO Hall of Famer Joe Arenas passed away in Texas on June 30 at the age of 94.
Arenas was a standout for Omaha University on the football field from 1947-51. He started as a blocking back in the old single wing formation and then moved to tailback where he went on to gain All-American honors. One season, he averaged more than 200 yards per game.
Arenas went on to play professional football for the San Francisco 49ers, the first program alum to play in the NFL. He led the league in kick-off returns for several seasons. In 1953, he set the Niners’ record for average kick-off return yardage at 34.4.
The native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa also was a starting guard on the Omaha basketball team and was a high jumper for the track team.
In 1954, he was selected to the Helms Hall of Fame and received the Alumni Achievement Award from Omaha U.
Arenas was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1977.
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