Louis Cody “Lou” Sossamon (June 2, 1921 – February 11, 2019) was an American football player noted for his college career at the University of South Carolina and for three seasons in professional football with the New York Yankees. He played on both offense and defense, primarily at center and linebacker, roles that required physical strength, leadership on the line of scrimmage, and tackling ability.
Overview and playing style
Sossamon was part of an era when many players played both ways — contributing as an offensive lineman who snapped and blocked, and as a defensive player involved in stopping runners and defending short passes. Contemporary reports and institutional honors describe him as reliable and durable, traits valued in interior linemen and linebackers of his time. His size, technique, and football intelligence helped him transition from college competition to the professional ranks.
College career and recognition
He played collegiate football at the college level for the University of South Carolina, where his performances earned lasting recognition from the institution. Sossamon’s contributions to the program were later commemorated with induction into university athletic honors, reflecting both his on-field achievements and his place in the school’s football history. His name is also preserved in broader state athletic recognition.
Professional tenure
After college, Sossamon went on to play three seasons with the New York Yankees professional football team. That franchise, distinct from the baseball club of the same name, fielded competitive teams in mid-20th-century professional football and drew players who had distinguished themselves at the collegiate level. Sossamon’s time in the pros represented the continuation of a successful playing career that spanned both college and professional competition.
Legacy and honors
Lou Sossamon is remembered primarily through institutional honors and the testimony of teammates, coaches, and fans. He was inducted into both the University of South Carolina and the South Carolina State athletic halls of fame, a sign of enduring esteem at the regional and collegiate levels. Such honors preserve his place in the history of football in South Carolina and acknowledge the contributions of players from his generation.
- Full name: Louis Cody Sossamon
- Primary positions: center and linebacker
- College: University of South Carolina
- Professional team: New York Yankees (three seasons)
- Hall of Fame inductions: University of South Carolina athletic hall of fame; South Carolina State athletic hall of fame