Sonny Gandee

Sherwin Kenneth "Sonny" Gandee, Sr. (February 27, 1929 – July 21, 2013) was an American professional football linebacker and defensive lineman. After playing college football for Ohio State, Gandee was selected by the Detroit Lions in 1952 NFL draft. He played for five seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Texans in two games during the 1952 season and for the Lions in 51 games from 1952 to 1957. He was a member of the Lions' 1952, 1953 and 1957 teams that won NFL championships.

Early life Gandee was born in 1929 in Akron, Ohio, and attended that city's Garfield High School. His father, Sherman Gandee, was a deputy sheriff in Summit County, Ohio. He had a twin brother, Sherman "Joe" Gandee, Jr. At the end of his senior season, he was selected to play in the 1951 East–West Shrine Game. He also played in the 1952 Senior Bowl.

Professional football Gandee was selected by the Detroit Lions in the ninth round (106th overall) of the 1952 NFL draft.

After retiring from football, Gandee operated a restaurant in Wyandotte, Michigan, known as "Sonny Grandee's Celebrity House". He also worked in the automotive industry. He lived in Wyandotte for over 50 years and later lived in Gibraltar and Grosse Ile, Michigan.