Pete Retzlaff
Encyclopedia
Palmer Edward "Pete" Retzlaff, nicknamed "Pistol Pete" and "The Baron", (born August 21, 1931 in Ellendale, North Dakota
) is a former professional American football
player and general manager.
Retzlaff played football at Ellendale High School in Ellendale, North Dakota
and starred in track and field and football
at South Dakota State College
. In 1952, he rushed for 1,016 yards.
He was selected in the 1953 NFL Draft
by the Detroit Lions
of the National Football League
but did not make the team. After two years in the army, he was sold to the Philadelphia Eagles
, where he played at running back, wide receiver, and tight end for eleven seasons. In 1958, despite never having caught a pass in college, he led the NFL with 56 pass receptions. He went to the Pro Bowl
five times, and won the Bert Bell Award
for NFL player of the year in 1965, when he caught 66 passes including ten touchdowns. He also served as president of the NFL Players Association.
From 1969 to 1972, he served as the Eagles' vice president and general manager. In 1973 and 1974, he worked as a color analyst for NFL coverage on CBS
television.
Retzlaff's number 44 jersey has been retired by the Eagles.
Ellendale, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,559 people, 603 households, and 355 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,083.6 people per square mile . There were 750 housing units at an average density of 521.3 per square mile...
) is a former professional American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
player and general manager.
Retzlaff played football at Ellendale High School in Ellendale, North Dakota
Ellendale, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,559 people, 603 households, and 355 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,083.6 people per square mile . There were 750 housing units at an average density of 521.3 per square mile...
and starred in track and field and football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at South Dakota State College
South Dakota State University
South Dakota State University is the largest university in the U.S. state of South Dakota, located in Brookings. A public land-grant university and sun grant college, founded under the provisions of the 1862 Morrill Act, SDSU offers programs of study required by, or harmonious to, this Act...
. In 1952, he rushed for 1,016 yards.
He was selected in the 1953 NFL Draft
1953 NFL Draft
The 1953 National Football League Draft was held on January 22, 1953.-Player selections:-Round one:* HOF Member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:...
by the Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League , and play their home games at Ford Field in Downtown Detroit.Originally based in Portsmouth, Ohio and...
of 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...
but did not make the team. After two years in the army, he was sold to the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, where he played at running back, wide receiver, and tight end for eleven seasons. In 1958, despite never having caught a pass in college, he led the NFL with 56 pass receptions. He went to the 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...
five times, and won the Bert Bell Award
Bert Bell Award
The Bert Bell Award for the Professional American football Player of the Year is presented by the Maxwell Football Club. This award is named in honor of Bert Bell , Commissioner of the National Football League and founder of the Maxwell Club...
for NFL player of the year in 1965, when he caught 66 passes including ten touchdowns. He also served as president of the NFL Players Association.
From 1969 to 1972, he served as the Eagles' vice president and general manager. In 1973 and 1974, he worked as a color analyst for NFL coverage on CBS
NFL on CBS
The NFL on CBS is the brand name of the CBS television network's coverage of the National Football League's American Football Conference games, produced by CBS Sports.-Market coverage and television policies:...
television.
Retzlaff's number 44 jersey has been retired by the Eagles.