Dick Wildung

Richard Kay Wildung (August 16, 1921 – March 15, 2006) was an American football tackle who played college football for Minnesota (1940–1942) and professional football in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers. He played for back-to-back national championship teams at Minnesota and was a consensus All-American in 1941 and 1942. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1957.

Early years

Wildung was born in Scotland, South Dakota, in 1921. He grew up and graduated from high school in Luverne, Minnesota.^[1] Wildung's father died when Wildung was a boy, and his mother ran a dress shop in Luverne.^[2]

Wildung starred in both football and basketball and was also second academically in his class in high school.^[3][4]

Minnesota

Wildung enrolled at the

The 1941 Minnesota team repeated as national champion, and Wildung was one of the returning players who played for back-to-back national champions.^[10] Minnesota coach Bernie Bierman called Wildung "as good a tackle as I ever have coached."^[6] The Associated Press wrote that he had "a solid frame and a terrific charge" and "an ability to sense the opponents' plays almost before they are executed."^[5] George A. Barton of The Minneapolis Tribune described him as "remarkably fast and active" who was able not only to open "gaping holes" in the line but also to lead plays down the field, clearing the way with "brutal downfield blocking".^[11] He was also an "iron man" player who played on defense as well, including all 60 minutes of Minnesota's 1941 victories over Washington, Michigan, Northwestern, Nebraska, and Iowa.^[11]

Wildung was a consensus pick at tackle on the

At the end of the 1941 season, Wildung was also chosen by his teammates as captain of the 1942 Minnesota football team.^[6] The 1942 compiled a 5–4 record and was ranked No. 19 in the final AP poll. Wildung was selected as the team's most valuable player.^[21][7] He also repeated as a consensus pick for the 1942 All-America team.^[12][22]

Military service

Wildung served in the United States Navy during World War II. He was commissioned at the midshipman's school in Chicago in December 1943. He was also married on New Year's Day 1944 to Margaret Jane Jaehning.^[23][24] As of February 1944, Wildung was assigned as an ordnance teacher at a Chicago naval school.^[25] He also served aboard a ship in the southwest Pacific.^[26] He also served in a PT boat squadron and won a battle star in the Philippines.^[27] He was discharged from the Navy in May 1946.^[26]

Green Bay

Wildung was drafted in the first round of the

Wildung played for the Packers during a period of decline, compiling records of 2–10 in 1949 and 3–9 in 1948, 1950, and 1951. He later recalled that coach Curly Lambeau was out of touch with the direction of pro football: "The game kind of passed Curly by."^[32]

Wildung missed the 1952 season. During the off-season, he ran a hardware, appliance, and plumbing business in Redwood Falls, Minnesota, in partnership with his brother-in-law. His brother-in-law died in July 1952. Wildung was unable to find a manager and remained in Redwood Falls to manage the business.^[31][33]

Wildung announced his retirement from football in July 1954, indicating his intention to work full time at his hardware store in Redwood Falls, Minnesota.^[34]

Later years

After retiring from football, Wildung led a "humble" life operating a hardware store.^[35] In 1957, Wildung was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.^[36] In 1973 he was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.^[31]

References