Gus Cifelli

August Blase Cifelli (February 3, 1926 – March 26, 2009) was an American professional football offensive tackle who played for three College Football National Championship teams with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football team and won the 1952 NFL championship with the Detroit Lions. After retiring from football, he went to law school and was elected as a Michigan district court judge, where he served for more than two decades. He served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, and was awarded the Purple Heart for his service in the Pacific Theater. He attended the University of Notre Dame after completing military service, where he majored in philosophy.

Football He was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 19th round of the 1950 NFL draft, as the 239th pick overall, and played for the Lions from 1950 to 1952. He also played for the Green Bay Packers in the 1953 season, and split time between the Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1954 season.

Legal career After retiring from football, he earned a law degree at the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law. He was elected to serve as a judge of the 48th District Court in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, and served in that role from his election in 1973 until he resigned from his seat in 2000. For 10 years, he served as the court's chief judge.

Personal life Cifelli died at age 83 on March 26, 2009, at William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Michigan, due to natural causes.