Ralph Isselhardt

Ralph L. "Izzy" Isselhardt (January 13, 1910 – October 24, 1972) was an American professional football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions and Cleveland Rams.^[1] He played college football at Franklin College and was inducted into that school's Hall of Fame in 1975.

Ralph Isselhardt

Isselhardt in 1936
No. 15
Position	Guard
Personal information
Born	(1910-01-13)January 13, 1910 Hillsboro, Illinois, U.S.
Died	October 24, 1972(1972-10-24) (aged 62) Grand Rapids, Michigan, U.S.
Height	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight	205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school	Marion (IN)
College	Franklin (IN)
Career history
Detroit Lions (1936) Cleveland Rams (1937)
Career statistics
Games played 9 Starts 0 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

He first enrolled at Hillsboro High School in Hillsboro, Illinois before transferring to Marion High School in Marion, Indiana.^[2]

College career

Isselhardt played for the Franklin Grizzlies. He was a co-captain of the team during his 1935 senior season.^[3]

He graduated with a degree from Franklin College in June 1936.^[3]

Professional career

Isselhardt signed a contract to play with the Lions for the 1936 season early in March of that year.^[4] Training camp was expected to open during the first half of August.^[4]

Known as "Izzy" to his teammates,^[5] Isselhardt played in one game for the Detroit Lions in 1936, before being assigned to a minor league farm club for additional experience.^[6]

Isselhardt signed with the Cleveland Rams for the 1937 season^[6] and saw action in eight games for the team.^[7]

Death and legacy

Isselhardt died October 24, 1972, at Grand Rapids, Michigan.

He was inducted into the Franklin College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1975.^[8]