John Mohardt
Encyclopedia
John Henry Mohardt is a former professional football and baseball player who was a teammate of three of the most notable athletes in American sports history.
Mohardt played football and baseball at the University of Notre Dame
from 1918 through 1921. Mohardt was a college football teammate of George Gipp
at Notre Dame, serving as Gipp's stalwart blocker during the Fighting Irish's undefeated season of 1920. Mohardt was accused of participating as a ringer in the Carlinville-Taylorville, Illinois
professional game in 1921, but was later cleared of any connection with the scandal when Mohardt presented evidence that he was in school in South Bend
, Indiana
on the day of the contest.
Mohardt played in the National Football League
for the Chicago Cardinals, Racine Legion, and Chicago Bears
from 1922 - 1925. One of Mohardt's teammates with the 1925 Bears was pro football Hall of Famer Red Grange
.
Mohardt also played in five major league baseball games in 1922
with the Detroit Tigers
. Baseball Hall of Famer Ty Cobb
was the player-manager
of the Tigers at the time. In his lone official at-bat in the majors, which came on April 21, 1922, Mohardt singled
off Cleveland's
Charlie Jamieson
, an outfielder who was called upon to pitch in a lopsided game.
Mohardt later earned an M.D.
and served in the United States Armed Forces
during World War II
. He committed suicide in La Jolla, California by severing his femoral artery
.
Mohardt played football and baseball at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
The University of Notre Dame du Lac is a Catholic research university located in Notre Dame, an unincorporated community north of the city of South Bend, in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States...
from 1918 through 1921. Mohardt was a college football teammate of George Gipp
George Gipp
George "The Gipper" Gipp was a college football player who played for the University of Notre Dame. Gipp was selected as Notre Dame's first All-American and is Notre Dame's second consensus All-American , after Gus Dorais. Gipp played multiple positions, most notably halfback, quarterback, and...
at Notre Dame, serving as Gipp's stalwart blocker during the Fighting Irish's undefeated season of 1920. Mohardt was accused of participating as a ringer in the Carlinville-Taylorville, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
professional game in 1921, but was later cleared of any connection with the scandal when Mohardt presented evidence that he was in school in South Bend
South Bend, Indiana
The city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
on the day of the contest.
Mohardt played in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
for the Chicago Cardinals, Racine Legion, and Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
from 1922 - 1925. One of Mohardt's teammates with the 1925 Bears was pro football Hall of Famer Red Grange
Red Grange
Harold Edward "Red" Grange, nicknamed "The Galloping Ghost", was a college and professional American football halfback for the University of Illinois, the Chicago Bears, and for the short-lived New York Yankees. His signing with the Bears helped legitimize the National Football League...
.
Mohardt also played in five major league baseball games in 1922
1922 in baseball
-Champions:*World Series: New York Giants over New York Yankees -Statistical leaders:-American League final standings:-National League final standings:-Negro National League final standings:-East final standings:...
with the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. Baseball Hall of Famer Ty Cobb
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
was the player-manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
of the Tigers at the time. In his lone official at-bat in the majors, which came on April 21, 1922, Mohardt singled
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
off Cleveland's
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
Charlie Jamieson
Charlie Jamieson
Charles Devine Jamieson was an American baseball player, an outfielder for the Washington Senators , Philadelphia Athletics and Cleveland Indians ....
, an outfielder who was called upon to pitch in a lopsided game.
Mohardt later earned an M.D.
Doctor of Medicine
Doctor of Medicine is a doctoral degree for physicians. The degree is granted by medical schools...
and served in the United States Armed Forces
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. He committed suicide in La Jolla, California by severing his femoral artery
Femoral artery
The femoral artery is a general term comprising a few large arteries in the thigh. They begin at the inguinal ligament and end just above the knee at adductor canal or Hunter's canal traversing the extent of the femur bone....
.