Wally Ladrow

Walter Paul Ladrow (October 16, 1895 – July 22, 1974) was an American professional football fullback. After attending Green Bay East High School, he played for local semi-professional teams and later joined the newly-formed Green Bay Packers in 1919. He played for the Packers from 1919 to 1921 and appeared in one game for the team while they were in the American Professional Football Association (APFA, now the National Football League). He was the final surviving member of the original Green Bay Packers, dying one month after his teammate Gus Rosenow in 1974.

Early life

Ladrow was born on October 16, 1895, in Brookside, Oconto County, Wisconsin. His father was an immigrant from Belgium, while his mother came to the U.S. from Canada. He attended Green Bay East High School, where he played for the football team. He was their fullback, with the Hillsides representing the Astor Park section of Green Bay. He was a starting end and appeared in two games. He later said that he had been invited to play for the team by founder Curly Lambeau, who had remembered him from the Hillsides team. He was one of several original Packers who worked for the Indian Packing Company, a local meat packing company that sponsored the team. He continued playing for the team in 1920, contributing to their 10–1–1 record. He played his final season for the Packers in 1921, as they joined the American Professional Football Association (APFA, now the National Football League). He also competed as a bowler and co-founded the Green Bay Bowling Association, later serving on its board of directors and being the honorary president of the 1971 Wisconsin state tournament. He was a member of the St. Paul United Methodist Church and the Packers Alumni Association. Ladrow became the final surviving member of the original Packers. Ladrow died one month later, on July 22, 1974, at the age of 78.