Rich Wingo Explained

Rich Wingo
State House:Alabama
District:62nd
Term Start:November 5, 2014
Term End:November 9, 2022
Predecessor:John Merrill
Successor:Bill Lamb
Birth Name:Richard Allen Wingo
Birth Date:16 July 1956
Birth Place:Elkhart, Indiana, U.S.
Party:Republican
Alma Mater:University of Alabama
Residence:Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Spouse:Cheri Glasscock
Children:Jake and Luke Wingo
Module:
Embed:yes
Position:Linebacker
Number:50
Height Ft:6
Height In:1
Weight Lbs:230
High School:Elkhart (IN)
College:Alabama
Draftyear:1979
Draftround:7
Draftpick:184
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Sacks
Statvalue1:1
Statlabel2:Interceptions
Statvalue2:4
Statlabel3:Games
Statvalue3:69

Richard Allen Wingo (born July 16, 1956) is an American Republican politician and a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played five seasons for the Green Bay Packers from 1979 to 1984. He was drafted by the Packers in the seventh round of the 1979 NFL draft out of the University of Alabama.

He was a part of one of the most famous plays in college football history, "The Goal Line Stand" in Alabama's Sugar Bowl victory over Penn State in 1979.[1] He played for college coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. From Pee Wee football through high school, he led every team he played for in tackles.

Wingo is the only player in Packers history to have a scoring total of 1 point. On September 6, 1981, against the Chicago Bears, he caught a pass in the end zone for a successful point-after-touchdown after a botched place-kick attempt. (At the time, either a successful place-kick or advancing the ball into the end zone both counted for one point.)

Wingo served as strength coach at Alabama under former head coach Bill Curry.[2]

In 2014 Wingo ran for a seat in the Alabama House of Representatives, winning the general election in November.[3] He was sworn into office in 2015.[4] He served 2 terms, being reelected in 2018.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Rich Wingo helped famous Tide goal-line stand, now elected to Alabama legislature . Casagrande . Michael . June 4, 2014 . AL.com . December 27, 2018.
  2. Web site: Before landing at Clemson, Dabo Swinney sought an assistant coaching job at Notre Dame . Fortuna . Matt . December 27, 2018 . The Athletic . December 27, 2018.
  3. News: Goodbread. Chase. Former Packers LB Rich Wingo wins Alabama House election. March 8, 2015. NFL.com. June 4, 2014.
  4. Web site: Rich Wingo. Project Vote Smart. March 8, 2015.