Bill Baumgartner

William R. Baumgartner Sr. (April 17, 1921 – September 30, 1981) was an American professional football player who played at the end position. He played college football for Minnesota from 1940 to 1942 and professional football for the Baltimore Colts during the 1947 season.

Biography Early life

A native of Duluth, Minnesota, he Denfeld High School in Duluth. While in high school, he was a sprinter for the track team and also played basketball and football.

College football

He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. His arms were so long that the school had to order special jerseys for him.

Here on defense, Baumgartner leaps a fallen Gopher teammate in an attempt to stop Wisconsin's Lisle Blackbourn, Nov. 1946.

He was invited to play in the 1943 Chicago College All-Star Game, but by that time he was serving in the military as a naval aviation cadet.

Baumgartner saw 23 months of service as a Navy Air Force pilot and played football for the Bunker Hill Naval Air Station football team in 1944, leading them to an undefeated season. He graduated in 1947 with a degree in business.

Baumgartner appeared in two games of the 1947 Colts season. He was waived by the Colts late in September 1947 to make room on the roster for All-American end Elmer Madar, who played collegiately for Michigan.

Life after football

Baumgartner worked as director of the Northwest Lumbermen's Association.

Death and legacy

Bill Baumgartner died September 30, 1981, of an apparent heart attack in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was 60 years old at the time of his death.

He was survived by his wife Patricia and four children.