Don Wedge
Encyclopedia
Donald R. Wedge (born August 13, 1929), a native of Carey, Ohio
, was an NFL official
for 24 years from 1972 to 1996. He worked as a back judge, side judge, and referee wearing uniform number 28. He officiated at side judge in Super Bowl
XXII. He also officiated in 18 other post season games including two Pro Bowl
s.
Wedge was born and raised in northwest Ohio. He graduated from Carey High School
in 1947. He then graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
in 1951 where he played fullback
. Don set several records while playing full back at Ohio Wesleyan including 5 touchdowns in a single game and 15 touchdowns in a single season (1950). He was named All-Ohio College and Little All-American Fullback and was inducted into the OWU Hall of Fame. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ohio Pro Am in 1993.
He officiated both football and basketball
games at the college level from 1956 to 1976. He worked the 1970 Rose Bowl game and Big Ten games as a back judge and referee prior to his NFL experience. His other college officiating included Mid Am, SEC, Metro, OVC and NCAA tournaments. He was also an NBA official for two years.
In 1995, the Ohio Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame inducted Wedge. He is a lifetime member of the OAFO, OABO, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, NFL Alumni, and the NFL Players Association. He is also a member of the Carey Ohio High School Hall of Fame.
Wedge currently resides in Groveland, Florida
near his wife Ruth Ann, son Chris, and daughter Laura along with four grand children. He is spending his time doing frequent charitable fundraising events in Ohio and Florida. He is also a frequent speaker at Christian and secular functions.
Carey, Ohio
Carey is a village in Wyandot County, Ohio, United States. The population was 3,901 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Carey is located at ....
, was an NFL official
Official (American football)
In American football, an official is a person who has responsibility in enforcing the rules and maintaining the order of the game.During professional and college football games, seven officials operate on the field...
for 24 years from 1972 to 1996. He worked as a back judge, side judge, and referee wearing uniform number 28. He officiated at side judge in Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
XXII. He also officiated in 18 other post season games including two Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
s.
Wedge was born and raised in northwest Ohio. He graduated from Carey High School
Carey High School (Carey, Ohio)
Carey High School is a public high school in Carey, Ohio. It is the only high school in the Carey Exempted Village Schools district. Their nickname is the Blue Devils. They are members of the Midland Athletic League....
in 1947. He then graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University
Ohio Wesleyan University
Ohio Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college in Delaware, Ohio, United States. It was founded in 1842 by Methodist leaders and Central Ohio residents as a nonsectarian institution, and is a member of the Ohio Five — a consortium of Ohio liberal arts colleges...
in 1951 where he played fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
. Don set several records while playing full back at Ohio Wesleyan including 5 touchdowns in a single game and 15 touchdowns in a single season (1950). He was named All-Ohio College and Little All-American Fullback and was inducted into the OWU Hall of Fame. He received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ohio Pro Am in 1993.
He officiated both football and basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
games at the college level from 1956 to 1976. He worked the 1970 Rose Bowl game and Big Ten games as a back judge and referee prior to his NFL experience. His other college officiating included Mid Am, SEC, Metro, OVC and NCAA tournaments. He was also an NBA official for two years.
In 1995, the Ohio Wesleyan Athletics Hall of Fame inducted Wedge. He is a lifetime member of the OAFO, OABO, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, NFL Alumni, and the NFL Players Association. He is also a member of the Carey Ohio High School Hall of Fame.
Wedge currently resides in Groveland, Florida
Groveland, Florida
Groveland is a city in Lake County, Florida, United States. The population was 2,360 at the 2000 census. The Census Bureau estimated the population in 2008 to be 7,647...
near his wife Ruth Ann, son Chris, and daughter Laura along with four grand children. He is spending his time doing frequent charitable fundraising events in Ohio and Florida. He is also a frequent speaker at Christian and secular functions.