John Pingel Explained

Johnny Pingel
Number:37
Position:Back,
Punter
Birth Date:6 November 1916
Birth Place:Mount Clemens, Michigan, U.S.
Death Place:Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lb:175
High School:Mount Clemens
College:Michigan State (1936–1938)
Draftyear:1939
Draftround:1
Draftpick:7
Pastteams:
Highlights:
NCAA record
  • Most punting yards in a season: 4,138 (1938-2024)
Statlabel1:Rushing attempts
Statvalue1:74
Statlabel2:Rushing yards
Statvalue2:301
Statlabel3:Rushing touchdowns
Statvalue3:1
Statlabel4:Passing yards
Statvalue4:343
Statlabel5:Passing touchdowns
Statvalue5:3
Statlabel6:Interceptions
Statvalue6:4
Statlabel7:Punts
Statvalue7:32
Statlabel8:Punting yards
Statvalue8:1,368
Pfr:P/PingJo20
Collegehof:1499

John Spencer Pingel (November 6, 1916 – August 14, 1999) was an American football back and punter.

Pingel played college football at the Michigan State University and was selected as a first-team All-American in 1938 and second-team in 1937. He holds the all-time NCAA record for most punting yards in a season with 4,138 yards in 1938. Pingel was a triple-threat man who also ranked among the NCAA leaders in rushing (7th with an average of 5.0 yards per rush) and passing (7th win an average of 6 completions per game) during the 1938 season.[1]

Pingel was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round (7th overall pick) of the 1939 NFL draft.[2] [3] He signed with the Lions in May 1939 and played in nine games, eight as a starter for the 1939 Detroit Lions.[3] [4] After retiring from football, he had a successful career in advertising, serving as the chief executive officer of the Ross Roy advertising agency. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1968. Pingel died at age 82 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.[5] [6]

Notes and References

  1. Book: ESPN College Football Encyclopedia. 1175. ESPN Books. 2005. 1401337031. (1938 NCAA Major College Statistical Leaders)
  2. Web site: 1939 NFL Draft Listing . 2023-03-27 . Pro-Football-Reference.com . en.
  3. News: Johnny Pingel. pro-football-reference.com.
  4. News: Pingel, Michigan State, Signs With Detroit Lions. The New York Times. 1939-05-14.
  5. News: Sidelines: College Football. Lakeland Ledger. 1999-08-16.
  6. News: John Pingel, star in football, rose to run advertising agency. The Detroit News. 1999-08-17.