Nate Schenker Explained

Nate Schenker
Number:38
Position:Tackle
Birth Date:27 January 1918
Birth Place:Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Death Place:Ohio, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lbs:220
High School:East Technical
(Cleveland, Ohio)
College:Howard (AL)
Undraftedyear:1939
Pastteams:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:4
Pfr:ScheNa20

Nathan Schenker (January 27, 1918 – February 10, 2009) was an American football tackle who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Rams. He played college football for Howard and went undrafted in .

Schenker was born on January 27, 1918, in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended East Technical High School there, before attending Howard College in Homewood, Alabama. Though he did not see action as a freshman, he played on the varsity team in 1936.[1] At the school he was a "60 minute man", playing on both sides of the ball during the entire game. He was regarded as a potential Little All-America selection as a senior but was handicapped by a broken hand.[2] He graduated from Howard in 1939 with a degree in teaching.[3]

After going unselected in the 1939 NFL draft, Schenker signed a minor league contract with the Columbus Bullies in the American Football League (AFL), appearing in four games.[1] He gained attention from the professional Cleveland Rams, and shortly afterwards signed a contract with them. Wearing number 38, Schenker appeared in four games during the 1939 NFL season at the tackle position.[4] He was re-signed for the season, but did not play with the Rams.[5] Instead, he played briefly with the St. Louis Gunners, an independent team.[1]

After briefly playing 1940 with St. Louis, Schenker became a high school teacher and football coach in Alabama.[6] He was drafted to serve in World War II in 1941, and played multiple sports for the Camp Wheeler military teams, leading the Company D Fourth Training Battalion to the camp's softball championship.[6] He later served overseas in Europe as a sergeant.

He later worked as an office manager for Mar-Kay Cartage and Major Tire. He also was an assistant football coach for Chagrin Falls High School and Solon High School, and was a bowler. Schenker died on February 10, 2009, at the age of 91.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Nate Schenker Stats. Pro Football Archives.
  2. News: Untitled. The Birmingham News. Newspapers.com. November 9, 1938.
  3. Web site: Nathan Schenker (obituary). Cleveland Jewish News. February 18, 2009.
  4. Web site: Nate Schenker Stats. Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  5. News: Ram Quartet Set For 1940 Season. The Akron Beacon Journal. Newspapers.com. June 11, 1940.
  6. News: Untitled. Shamokin News-Dispatch. Newspapers.com. September 27, 1941.