Family & Friends
Wayne Woodrow Hayes was born on February 14, 1913, to Effie and Wayne Benton Hayes. Wayne Benton Hayes was a teacher and later superintendent of schools in Newcomerstown, Ohio, where Woody graduated high school in 1931. Woody also had an older sister named Mary and a brother, Isaac or “Ike” who, like Woody, also played football. Woody’s lifelong love of learning and reading was largely inspired by his father. Early in his career, Woody met and married Anne Gross, with whom he would go on to have one son, Steven.
In addition to his family, Hayes surrounded himself with a wide variety of friends, ranging from other coaches to celebrities to political figures to corporate executives. Among his correspondents were presidents, generals, CEOs, actors, and professional football coaches. Hayes’ influence and personality were known in Washington, D.C., and Hollywood as well as on the sidelines of football stadiums all across the country.
