Gene Knutson

Eugene Peter "Gene" Knutson (November 10, 1932 – February 9, 2008) was an American professional football player. He played college football as an offensive and defensive end for the University of Michigan (1951–1953) and professional football as a defensive end for the Green Bay Packers (1954–1956). As a senior at Michigan, Knutson was selected to play in the Hula Bowl College All-Star Game.

Early years in Beloit Knutson was born in Beloit, Wisconsin in 1932. He was the son of Florence and Peter Knutson. He began playing football at Lincoln High School in Beloit. At Beloit Memorial High School, he played football, basketball and track and field. He earned seven varsity letters and won all-state honors in both football and basketball and was a hurdler on Beloit's state championship track team as a junior. One of his teammates later recalled, "Gene was probably one of the best all-around athletes Beloit High School ever had." Knutson played for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1951 to 1953. He played at the offensive and defensive end position for Michigan. By his senior year, he was 6 feet, 5 inches tall and weighed 230 pounds. He was selected as an All-Midwest player and played in the college all-star Hula Bowl. He played as a defensive end for the Packers, appearing in 18 games during the 1954 and 1956 NFL seasons. Knutson did not play for the Packers in 1955 after suffering an injury in an exhibition game against the Washington Redskins. His highest annual salary as a professional athlete was $8,000. Knutson later recalled his days in the NFL as follows: "It was more of a business - dog eat dog. When I played there were only 12 teams and the (roster) limit was 33. It was a lot harder to get on a pro roster than it is now. I would love to be coming out of college now." He also worked as an executive vice president for Ara Parseghian Enterprises.

Family and death In 1953, Knutson married the former Carol Buschbaum of South Bend, Indiana. His first wife died in 1982, and in 1995, Knutson married Vicki Futterknecht of Cassopolis. Knutson died of cancer in February 2008 at Cassopolis.