[1][2] He was a running back at Northern High School, where he also played center field on the baseball team, and then attended a camp where Benny Friedman was the counselor and taught him how to pass a football.

In Newman's three years at Michigan, the Wolverines lost only one game, won three Big Ten Conference championship, and had a combined record of 24–1–2.

In the 1933 NFL Championship Game against the Chicago Bears, Newman threw a 29-yard touchdown pass to Red Badgro to give the Giants a 7–6 halftime lead.

Newman complained after the 1934 season that the new football adopted by the NFL in 1934 was "harder to pass" than the old one which had greater girth.

[13] In early September 1935, there were reports that Newman might not return to the Giants' backfield, because he did not want to leave his Detroit liquor business.

Then, on October 15, 1935, Newman announced that he had changed his mind and signed a contract to play with the Giants beginning the following Saturday.

[18] In November 1935, Newman wrote a guest column for the New York Post on the difference between the college and professional game.

As one report noted: "That in spite of the fact such outstanding players as Ken Strong,Harry Newman and Gomer Jones are slated to compete for the new clubs.

[25] Later in the game, Newman ran 75 yards for what appeared to be the winning touchdown, but the play was called back on a clipping penalty.

"[26] On November 8, 1936, Newman lateraled for both of Brooklyn's touchdowns and kicked both extra points in a 15–14 loss to the Cleveland Rams.

[27] In mid-November 1936, the Tigers franchise moved to Rochester, New York, where they played the final two games of the 1936 season.

Newman is the leading ground gainer in the American League, despite the fact that he is with a second division club.

However, in March 1937, Newman and Palm said they expected to move the franchise out of Rochester unless a minimum of $25,000 in cash subscriptions could be raised.

[33] Newman drew a salary of $250 per game for Rochester in 1937, higher than the professional average of $100, but less than the $425 paid to Sammy Baugh.

[37] In the season's sixth game, Newman led the Tigers to a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals, throwing three passes to account for a touchdown and then kicking the extra point in the final minute and a half.

He later lived in Palm Aire in Pompano Beach, Florida, and ultimately in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he died in May 2000 at the age of 90.