Rich Strenger

Richard Gene Strenger (born March 10, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) from 1983 to 1987. He was an All-Big Ten selection playing college football for the Michigan Wolverines (1980–1982). After his football career, he became a lawyer in Lake Orion, Michigan.

Early life and college

Strenger began in football as a speedy, 218-pound end for Grafton High School in Grafton, Wisconsin. In 1977, he was named All-Metro at the end position after catching four touchdown passes, including a 41-yard reception. At Michigan, Strenger grew into a 6'7, 285 pound lineman and became an intimidating presence in the Michigan offensive line from 1980–1982. In 1981, he was a backup to Ed Muransky and Bubba Paris, and in 1982, he started all 12 games for the Big Ten champion Wolverines. In 1982, Strenger's blocking led the ways for tailback Lawrence Ricks to rush for 1,428 yards. He was named All-Big Ten at offensive tackle and honorable mention All-America in 1982. Strenger was also selected to play for the East Squad in the 58th East-West Shrine Game on January 15, 1983 at Stanford Stadium.

Professional football

Strenger was the Detroit Lions' second-round draft pick (40th selection overall) in the 1983 NFL Draft. He played in 49 NFL games, including all 16 games for the Lions in 1983. He had earned the starting tackle job in 1984, but he sustained torn ligaments in his right knee in the seventh play of the season opener against the San Francisco 49ers on September 2, 1984, and underwent surgery. Lions coach Monte Clark said of the loss of Strenger, "That's a disaster." He underwent surgery and missed the entire 1984 season and much of the 1985 season while recuperating. On returning to football after his injury, Strenger said, "Sometimes I feel like a rookie out there. In some ways, it's a new challenge to earn my position back, but I'm really anxious to get out there and do some hitting." Strenger signed with the Buffalo Bills in May 1988 but did not make the team. After trying to make the Bills team in 1988 and 1989, Strenger was waived by the Bills on August 30, 1989. In September 2006, Strenger was honored by the Lions as the Alumni Honorary Captain for the Lions-Green Bay Packers game at Ford Field. and worked with the law firm of Butzel Long in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, before opening the Law Offices of Rich Strenger in Lake Orion, Michigan.