Dick Schafrath
Encyclopedia
Richard Philip "Dick" Schafrath (born March 21, 1937 in Wooster, Ohio
) is a retired offensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns
, former Ohio State Senator
and author
. During his tenure as an athlete, he won a national football championship with the 1957 Ohio State University
Buckeyes and the 1964 NFL Championship with the Cleveland Browns. Because of his strong work ethic and occasional stubborn determination friends and teammates nicknamed him “The Mule.” Dick was born March 21, 1937.
was persistent. In the end, Woody Hayes convinced Dick's parents and in the fall of 1955, Dick attended the Ohio State University
. Schafrath quickly made an impression on the football field. While teams and players in this era were becoming specialized, coach Woody Hayes asked Dick to play both sides of the ball, as offensive tackle and defensive end. The team would go on to win the National Championship in 1957 and the 1958 Rose Bowl Game
, as well as beating rival Michigan in 1957 and 1958. Schafrath was the Buckeyes' team captain in '58. During the Ohio State vs. Michigan game in '58, Michigan had the ball late in the fourth quarter, first and goal, with less than a minute clock, and down by 6 points. Dick was lined up as the right defensive end. The next play came his way and he hit the back causing a fumble and preserving the Ohio State win.
27-0. Schafrath's career with the Browns spanned 13 seasons, in which he was a fixture at the left tackle position. He protected the blind side of the Browns quarterbacks and opened holes for Hall of Fame Running Backs Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, and Leroy Kelly. Dick was selected to the All Pro Team four times, played in the Pro Bowl seven times and was voted the Team’s Most Valuable Player in 1963, the last year they held the distinction. He blocked against sixteen Hall of Fame Defensive Ends and thirteen Hall of Fame Linebackers. He was also elected to the Browns Legends Club in 2003.
were one of those teams. But ultimately, Dick decided to remain retired. Instead, he decided to accept an offer by head coach George Allen of the Washington Redskins
to join his coaching staff. 1975-1977, Dick was the assistant offensive line coach.
Dick Schafrath is a member of the Alpha-Sigma Chapter (Ohio State) of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
Fifty years after leaving Ohio State University, Schafrath returned to complete his college diploma. On August 27, 2006 at the age of 69 he graduated from OSU with a B.S. in Sports and Leisure Studies. As part of his college coursework Schafrath wrote Heart of a Mule, an autobiography published by Gray & Company, Publishers in 2006.
Dick has seven children from four marriages; Jefferson, Renee, Ty, Heidi, Bruin, Gerrit, and Isaac. He also has 16 grandchildren.
Wooster, Ohio
Wooster is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Wayne County. The municipality is located in northeastern Ohio approximately SSW of Cleveland and SW of Akron. Wooster is noted as the location of The College of Wooster...
) is a retired offensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, former Ohio State Senator
Ohio Senate
The Ohio State Senate is the upper house of the Ohio General Assembly, the legislative body for the U.S. state of Ohio. There are 33 State Senators. The state legislature meets in the state capital, Columbus. The President of the Senate presides over the body when in session, and is currently Tom...
and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
. During his tenure as an athlete, he won a national football championship with the 1957 Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
Buckeyes and the 1964 NFL Championship with the Cleveland Browns. Because of his strong work ethic and occasional stubborn determination friends and teammates nicknamed him “The Mule.” Dick was born March 21, 1937.
Early life and college career
Dick Schafrath was the first born son of Norman and Mary, farmers of Irish-German descent. Their farm was located on the edge of Wooster, Ohio. At an early age, Dick learned his incredible work ethic while working alongside his father. By Dick's senior year of high school, the Cincinnati Reds and the Ohio State Buckeyes were actively recruiting Dick. Though his passion was baseball, the legendary Woody HayesWoody Hayes
Wayne Woodrow "Woody" Hayes was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach at Denison University , Miami University , and Ohio State University , compiling a career college football record of 238–72–10.During his 28 seasons as the head coach of the Ohio...
was persistent. In the end, Woody Hayes convinced Dick's parents and in the fall of 1955, Dick attended the Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
. Schafrath quickly made an impression on the football field. While teams and players in this era were becoming specialized, coach Woody Hayes asked Dick to play both sides of the ball, as offensive tackle and defensive end. The team would go on to win the National Championship in 1957 and the 1958 Rose Bowl Game
Rose Bowl Game
The Rose Bowl is an annual American college football bowl game, usually played on January 1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. When New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the game is played on Monday, January 2...
, as well as beating rival Michigan in 1957 and 1958. Schafrath was the Buckeyes' team captain in '58. During the Ohio State vs. Michigan game in '58, Michigan had the ball late in the fourth quarter, first and goal, with less than a minute clock, and down by 6 points. Dick was lined up as the right defensive end. The next play came his way and he hit the back causing a fumble and preserving the Ohio State win.
NFL career
In 1959, during his senior year, Schafrath left Ohio State University to become the second NFL draft pick and join the Cleveland Browns. Drafted by the legendary and innovative Paul Brown, Dick was only 220 lbs. when he arrived as a rookie. Immediately, Dick began a then new, and unpopular regiment, of weight lifting on a regular basis. He also began to enter eating contests across the state. Within a year, Dick was 270 lbs. In 1964, the team won the NFL Championship against the Baltimore ColtsHistory of the Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls....
27-0. Schafrath's career with the Browns spanned 13 seasons, in which he was a fixture at the left tackle position. He protected the blind side of the Browns quarterbacks and opened holes for Hall of Fame Running Backs Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, and Leroy Kelly. Dick was selected to the All Pro Team four times, played in the Pro Bowl seven times and was voted the Team’s Most Valuable Player in 1963, the last year they held the distinction. He blocked against sixteen Hall of Fame Defensive Ends and thirteen Hall of Fame Linebackers. He was also elected to the Browns Legends Club in 2003.
Coaching in the NFL
After Dick retired from the Browns, he was tempted to take offers from other teams. The Washington RedskinsWashington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
were one of those teams. But ultimately, Dick decided to remain retired. Instead, he decided to accept an offer by head coach George Allen of the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
to join his coaching staff. 1975-1977, Dick was the assistant offensive line coach.
Politics
In 1983 Dick was recruited by President Ronald Reagan to coordinate and organize "Athletes for Reagan-Bush '84" in which celebrity athletes appeared at fundraisers and other functions in a re-election campaign effort. In 1986, with the help of longtime friend and coach Woody Hayes, Schafrath won a seat in the Ohio State Senate after running a successful campaign against state representative Tom Van Meter. He continued serving in the Ohio Senate until his retirement from politics in 2003.Facts and family
While Schafrath is known for his years as an athlete he also became known for his endless stunts and dares, including wrestling a bear, running 62 miles from Cleveland Browns stadium to Wooster High School stadium and canoeing across Lake Erie without stopping.Dick Schafrath is a member of the Alpha-Sigma Chapter (Ohio State) of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity.
Fifty years after leaving Ohio State University, Schafrath returned to complete his college diploma. On August 27, 2006 at the age of 69 he graduated from OSU with a B.S. in Sports and Leisure Studies. As part of his college coursework Schafrath wrote Heart of a Mule, an autobiography published by Gray & Company, Publishers in 2006.
Dick has seven children from four marriages; Jefferson, Renee, Ty, Heidi, Bruin, Gerrit, and Isaac. He also has 16 grandchildren.