Standlee was a NFL running back who played for the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL. He was drafted out of StanfordUniversity by the Chicago Bears in 1941. He paid immediate dividends by finishing fourth in the league in rushing with a total of 414 yards and second in average per carry with 5.1. He helped the Chicago Bears to the league championship title over the New York Giants that year before serving in the armed forces in World War II.