The story of the life and career of football star Elroy "Crazylegs" Hirsch (who plays himself).
Elroy 'Crazylegs' Hirsch's life is told from his days in a school in Wisconsin and then at the University of Wisconsin where he already excelled in sports. After military service, Elroy becomes a professional athlete and earns the nickname of Crazylegs, by which he became known internationally. An injury almost ends his career, but in a typical case of personal overcoming, he achieves a triumphant return.
After the championship football game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Cleveland Braves, high school coach Win "Brock" Brockmeyer (Lloyd Nolan) joins his former student, Elroy 'Crazylegs' Hirsch, on the empty field. Although Elroy, who is at the height of his success, just helped win the game for the Rams, he is wondering if it is time to retire. The two men reminisce: At Wausau High School in Wisconsin, the athletic talents of Elroy, a fast-running halfback with an unusual gait, are nurtured by Brock, and Elroy's untiring devotion to the game results in his breaking many Wausau records. Upon graduation, Elroy offers to take a job to help his father Otto (Norman Field), a foundry worker who has been ill, but Elroy's family (mother played by Louise Lorimer) and Brock convince him to choose one of the many sports scholarships offered to him. To be near his family, he attends the University of Wisconsin in Madison, where his faithful sweetheart Ruth (Joan Vohs) has also enrolled. However, because that institution has offered him the least financial aid, Elroy must take a job to support himself. During his freshman year, sorority girl Ruth rarely sees Elroy, as his classes, practices and job make for long days. In spite of his hard schedule, Elroy makes All-American and his number, "40," becomes famous in the Midwest. Reporters soon dub him "Crazylegs" because of his unusual running style. After deciding to join the Marines, Elroy transfers to the University of Michigan to attend the officers' training school there, and continues to play football. In spite of a weak ankle, he again makes All-American. Feeling neglected, Ruth stops writing him, so Elroy joins the basketball team, as it is the only way for him to get a pass to go to Madison. For the same reason, he joins the baseball and track teams in the spring, and becomes the only man to win a varsity letter in four major sports in one year. When he is called to active duty by the Marines, with barely six hours notice, he calls Ruth and asks her to wait for him. Upon his return from World War II, he proposes, but their happiness is marred when his father suffers a stroke. After they are married, Elroy plays in the collegiate All-Star Game in Chicago, earning recognition as the "most valuable player," which gets him a contract with a professional team, the Chicago Rockets. However, during a game he suffers a skull fracture and is presumed to be finished in sports. His refusal to give up worries Ruth, who is now pregnant and cannot understand Elroy's absolute need to play. She considers leaving him, but Brock, who has faithfully attended Elroy's games, helps her to see Elroy's unique gift. When the Los Angeles Rams offer Elroy a contract to play, he takes it, in spite of continued headaches, and works hard for a comeback. During the season, Elroy sets new NFL pass-catching records and wins the Ram's "most inspirational player" award, which is given by former team members. Brock and Ruth are in the stands when the Rams beat the Chicago Bears, and win the world championship. At the end of the game, as Brock and Elroy talk, Ruth joins them with their young son Win Hirsch, who is Brock's godson and namesake. When a crowd of boys ask for Elroy's autograph, Ruth, who is now comfortable with Elroy's career, confides to Brock that his fans are not ready for him to quit.
