Walt Vezmar Explained

Walt Vezmar
Number:33
Position:Guard
Birth Date:1 January 1925
Birth Place:Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Death Place:Pollock, Louisiana, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lbs:235
High School:Northeastern (Detroit, MI)
College:Michigan State University
Pastteams:
Pfr:VezmWa20

Walter Vezmar (January 1, 1925 – May 28, 1981) was an American football player.

Vezmar was born in Detroit in 1925 and attended Northeastern High School. He served in the Army during World War II. He sustained a head injury while serving with the Ranger during the Battle of Anzio in 1944.[1]

After the war, he played college football for Michigan State. During a game in November 1945, he aggravated his wartime head injury and was advised by doctors to quit the game.[1] He was also declared academically ineligible and signed with the Detroit Lions in June 1946.[2] [3] He appeared in 11 games for the Lions 1946 at age 21 and also appeared in two games in 1947.[4] [5] He was Rookie of the Year with the Lions. In 1948 and 1949, he played for the Paterson Panthers of the American Football League.[6]

He also played for the New York Yaks in 1949. In 1951, he enlisted in the Air Force.[7] He later became a minister with the Baptist church. He died in 1981 in Pollock, Louisiana.[8]

Notes and References

  1. News: MSC Lose Star Tackle: Doctor Tells Vezmar to Give Up Football. Detroit Free Press. November 13, 1945. 12. Newspapers.com.
  2. News: MSC Star Joins Lions: Frosh Tackle Vezmar Turns Pro in Hurry. Detroit Free Press. June 22, 1946. 13. Newspapers.com.
  3. News: Grades Bad, Makes The Grade On Grid. Ironwood Daily Globe. June 22, 1946. 7.
  4. Web site: Walt Vezmar. Sports Reference LLC. Pro-Football-Reference.com. November 3, 2015.
  5. Book: The ESPN Pro Football Encyclopedia . 2007 . Sterling Publishing . 978-1-4027-4216-3 . first . registration .
  6. Web site: Walt Vezmar. Pro Football Archives. June 22, 2022.
  7. News: Ex-Michigan State and Pro Gridder Now at England AFB. The Town Talk. September 16, 1955. 12. Newspapers.com.
  8. News: Walt Vezmar. The Town Talk. May 29, 1981. 13. Newspapers.com.