Philadelphia sent veteran quarterback Roy Zimmerman to…
Philadelphia sent veteran quarterback Roy Zimmerman to Detroit in July 1947 for tackle Jim Kekeris and the rights to center Charles Hoover. Kekeris appeared in 10 games with two starts for the Eagles, while Hoover never played an NFL game. Zimmerman started seven games for Detroit, threw for 867 yards and seven touchdowns, and handled substantial kicking duties, giving the Lions the stronger realized return.
Detroit Lions Received
- player Roy Zimmerman
Philadelphia Eagles Received
- player Jim Kekeris
- other rights to Charley Hoover / Charlie Hoover
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
On July 1, 1947, Philadelphia traded quarterback Roy Zimmerman to Detroit. Contemporary Associated Press reporting says the Eagles received tackle Jim Kekeris and the draft rights to Vanderbilt center Charles Hoover. That resolves both sides of an older player-and-rights transaction without inventing additional consideration.
Philadelphia Eagles Return
Philadelphia received Kekeris and Hoover's rights. Kekeris appeared in 10 games and made two starts for the 1947 Eagles. Hoover had been drafted in 1947, but the available NFL draft record shows no regular-season NFL career. Philadelphia therefore got some immediate line depth from Kekeris, but the second asset did not become documented NFL playing value.
Detroit Lions Return
Detroit received Zimmerman and used him extensively. He played all 12 games and started seven at quarterback in 1947, completing 57 of 138 passes for 867 yards and seven touchdowns. He also contributed as a kicker, making 30 of 31 extra points and five field goals. That is a materially larger, clearly documented one-season contribution than the Eagles received from the package going the other way.
Value in Hindsight
The original even-grade treatment missed the scale of Zimmerman's Detroit role. Kekeris did provide legitimate service, so Philadelphia's return was not empty. But Hoover's rights produced no documented NFL games, while Zimmerman functioned as a significant quarterback and scoring contributor immediately after the trade. The evidence supports a meaningful but not overwhelming Lions advantage.
Final Verdict
Detroit receives B- and Philadelphia receives C+. The Lions win because Zimmerman supplied substantial regular-season quarterback and kicking value in 1947, while Philadelphia received a reserve/spot starter in Kekeris and rights that did not become NFL production. The repaired entry should make those concrete outcomes, rather than generic package language, the center of the verdict.