Rick Graf
Encyclopedia
Richard Glenn Graf is a former professional American football
linebacker
for eight years in the National Football League
for the Miami Dolphins
(1987-1990), the Houston Oilers
(1991-1992), and the Washington Redskins
(1993-1994).
. While in the Madison Public Schools, he was active in swimming (Parkcrest Penguins), track and field, hockey, and football. Graf graduated in 1982 from James Madison Memorial High School
.
He is the youngest of three sons of Dr. Richard and Barbara Graf. His older brothers include Andrew (Tex) Graf (M.D., Madison, Wisconsin) and William (Bill) Graf (D.D.S., Middleton/Madison, Wisconsin). His father, Richard Graf, is still a practicing physician (Urology) and works with his oldest son, Andrew. William is a partner in First Choice Dental, with a specializing in cosmetic dentistry. Both of Rick’s parents graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
While in the Madison Public Schools, Graf was active in age-group swimming (for the Mighty Parkcrest Penguins), track and field, youth and high school hockey and football. Graf graduated (1982) from James Madison Memorial High School in Madison, Wisconsin. Madison Memorial High School also produced another NFL player, Tyrone Braxton (Denver Broncos 1987-1999, with one year in Miami).
During his high school career
, Graf was an All-State linebacker in football. He also played on the third line (left wing) for the Madison Memorial Spartans who finished second in the 1982 Wisconsin
state hockey tournament. Graf also competed in track and field as a sprinter and 110-meter high hurdler.
season with an ankle injury, Graf was a four-year starter (1983-1986 seasons) at the University of Wisconsin
.
During his collegiate career, Graf was paired as an outside linebacker with another Madison public school product, Tim Jordan (graduate Madison La Follette High School). The two players competed against one another in football and in track and field before they both accepted athletic scholarships to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
As outside linebackers, Graf and Jordan were coached by former Badger defensive lineman Dave Anderson. Anderson now serves as the Deputy Director for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletics Association.
Under Anderson’s watchful eye, Graf and Jordan had combined for more than 80 tackles at a loss to the opposition of more than three hundred yards. Graf and Jordan were nicknamed “Thunder and Lighting” by Mike Lucas, sports writer for the Capital Times (Madison) and as a color commentator for Badger football and other sports.
During the 1985 season, Graf tore his ACL
in a game against Northwestern University
. This injury ended his season and he had surgery the following day by Dr. William Clancy who at the time was the UW team doctor. Clancy went on to work with Dr. James Andrews at Alabama Sports Medicine & Orthopedic and now heads the Orthopedic Associates of Aspen and Glenwood in Colorado.
Graf returned and played in his senior year. Despite Wisconsin’s 3-9 team record, Graf was named All-Big Ten
linebacker by the coaches and media. Prior to the 1986 Wisconsin v. Michigan, former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler commented that over the course of their four years at Wisconsin, Graf and Jordan were the best tandem of outside linebackers his team played against.
In the 1986 homecoming game vs. Illinois, Graf’s interception for a touchdown sealed the come from behind victory for the Badgers before a crowd of over 80,000. Graf’s quote in the Wisconsin State Journal the following morning was “After I scored they could have opened the gate and I would have run to Jingles (Tavern) to continue the celebration.” Jingles, located adjacent to Camp Randall Stadium
, is a local bar favorite for Wisconsin fans throughout the years.
During his collegiate years, Graf participated in two college plays: the Sound of Music and Antigone
. Graf completed his undergraduate degree in Communications (B.S. 1987).
in the second round (43rd pick) of the 1987 NFL Draft
by the Miami Dolphins
. In late July 1987, after missing several days of training camp, he signed his first contract with the Miami Dolphins. Graf became a starter during his rookie year, the 1987 NFL season
.
Seven other Wisconsin football players were drafted along with Graf in the 1987 NFL draft. They include: Nate Odomes (Buffalo), Tim Jordan (New England), Michael Reid (Atlanta), Joe Armentrout (Tampa Bay), Craig Raddatz (Cincinnati), Bobby Taylor (also Miami), and Larry Emery (Atlanta).
Graf played for the Miami Dolphins (1986-1990), the Houston Oilers
(1991-92), and the Washington Redskins
(1993-94). He was forced to retire after a severe neck injury suffered in the last pre-season game with the Redskins.
Graf is an active member of the Minnesota
Chapter of the National Football League Alumni
organization.
Graf resides in Edina, Minnesota, and his wife and their three children.
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...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
for eight years 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 Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(1987-1990), the Houston Oilers
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
(1991-1992), and 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,...
(1993-1994).
Early life
Graf was raised in Madison, WisconsinMadison, Wisconsin
Madison is the capital of the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Dane County. It is also home to the University of Wisconsin–Madison....
. While in the Madison Public Schools, he was active in swimming (Parkcrest Penguins), track and field, hockey, and football. Graf graduated in 1982 from James Madison Memorial High School
James Madison Memorial High School
James Madison Memorial High School is a public school located at 201 South Gammon Road, Madison, Wisconsin, 53717, serving students in grades 9 through 12. It is part of the Madison Metropolitan School District...
.
He is the youngest of three sons of Dr. Richard and Barbara Graf. His older brothers include Andrew (Tex) Graf (M.D., Madison, Wisconsin) and William (Bill) Graf (D.D.S., Middleton/Madison, Wisconsin). His father, Richard Graf, is still a practicing physician (Urology) and works with his oldest son, Andrew. William is a partner in First Choice Dental, with a specializing in cosmetic dentistry. Both of Rick’s parents graduated from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.
While in the Madison Public Schools, Graf was active in age-group swimming (for the Mighty Parkcrest Penguins), track and field, youth and high school hockey and football. Graf graduated (1982) from James Madison Memorial High School in Madison, Wisconsin. Madison Memorial High School also produced another NFL player, Tyrone Braxton (Denver Broncos 1987-1999, with one year in Miami).
During his high school career
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
, Graf was an All-State linebacker in football. He also played on the third line (left wing) for the Madison Memorial Spartans who finished second in the 1982 Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
state hockey tournament. Graf also competed in track and field as a sprinter and 110-meter high hurdler.
College career
Graf was recruited to Wisconsin by the late head coach, Dave McClain (who died unexpectedly in April 1986). After being red-shirted his first college footballCollege 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...
season with an ankle injury, Graf was a four-year starter (1983-1986 seasons) at the University of Wisconsin
University of Wisconsin–Madison
The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...
.
During his collegiate career, Graf was paired as an outside linebacker with another Madison public school product, Tim Jordan (graduate Madison La Follette High School). The two players competed against one another in football and in track and field before they both accepted athletic scholarships to attend the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
As outside linebackers, Graf and Jordan were coached by former Badger defensive lineman Dave Anderson. Anderson now serves as the Deputy Director for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletics Association.
Under Anderson’s watchful eye, Graf and Jordan had combined for more than 80 tackles at a loss to the opposition of more than three hundred yards. Graf and Jordan were nicknamed “Thunder and Lighting” by Mike Lucas, sports writer for the Capital Times (Madison) and as a color commentator for Badger football and other sports.
During the 1985 season, Graf tore his ACL
Anterior cruciate ligament
The anterior cruciate ligament is a cruciate ligament which is one of the four major ligaments of the human knee. In the quadruped stifle , based on its anatomical position, it is referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament.The ACL originates from deep within the notch of the distal femur...
in a game against Northwestern University
Northwestern University
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston and Chicago, Illinois, USA. Northwestern has eleven undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools offering 124 undergraduate degrees and 145 graduate and professional degrees....
. This injury ended his season and he had surgery the following day by Dr. William Clancy who at the time was the UW team doctor. Clancy went on to work with Dr. James Andrews at Alabama Sports Medicine & Orthopedic and now heads the Orthopedic Associates of Aspen and Glenwood in Colorado.
Graf returned and played in his senior year. Despite Wisconsin’s 3-9 team record, Graf was named All-Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
linebacker by the coaches and media. Prior to the 1986 Wisconsin v. Michigan, former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler commented that over the course of their four years at Wisconsin, Graf and Jordan were the best tandem of outside linebackers his team played against.
In the 1986 homecoming game vs. Illinois, Graf’s interception for a touchdown sealed the come from behind victory for the Badgers before a crowd of over 80,000. Graf’s quote in the Wisconsin State Journal the following morning was “After I scored they could have opened the gate and I would have run to Jingles (Tavern) to continue the celebration.” Jingles, located adjacent to Camp Randall Stadium
Camp Randall Stadium
Camp Randall Stadium is an outdoor stadium in Madison, Wisconsin. It has been the home of the Wisconsin Badgers football team in rudimentary form since 1895, and as a complete stadium since 1917. It is located on the center-southern region of the University of Wisconsin campus. The stadium seats...
, is a local bar favorite for Wisconsin fans throughout the years.
During his collegiate years, Graf participated in two college plays: the Sound of Music and Antigone
Antigone (Sophocles)
Antigone is a tragedy by Sophocles written in or before 442 BC. Chronologically, it is the third of the three Theban plays but was written first...
. Graf completed his undergraduate degree in Communications (B.S. 1987).
Professional career
Graf (6 ft 5 in and 239 lbs.) was draftedNFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
in the second round (43rd pick) of the 1987 NFL Draft
1987 NFL Draft
The 1987 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 28–29, 1987...
by the Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. In late July 1987, after missing several days of training camp, he signed his first contract with the Miami Dolphins. Graf became a starter during his rookie year, the 1987 NFL season
1987 NFL season
The 1987 NFL season was the 68th regular season of the National Football League. A 24-day players' strike reduced the 16-game season to 15. The games that were scheduled for the third week of the season were canceled, but the games for weeks 4–6 were played with replacement players...
.
Seven other Wisconsin football players were drafted along with Graf in the 1987 NFL draft. They include: Nate Odomes (Buffalo), Tim Jordan (New England), Michael Reid (Atlanta), Joe Armentrout (Tampa Bay), Craig Raddatz (Cincinnati), Bobby Taylor (also Miami), and Larry Emery (Atlanta).
Graf played for the Miami Dolphins (1986-1990), the Houston Oilers
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
(1991-92), and 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,...
(1993-94). He was forced to retire after a severe neck injury suffered in the last pre-season game with the Redskins.
Graf is an active member of the Minnesota
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
Chapter of the National Football League Alumni
National Football League Alumni
The NFL Alumni is a 501 charity that is composed of former NFL players and associate members who work voluntarily to raise funds for youth-oriented causes and engage in hands-on service to foster the development of "youth through sports and sports through youth." The NFL Alumni advances its motto...
organization.
- In 1988, Graf was named Favorite Son of Madison by the Pen and Mike Club.
- In 2002, Graf was enshrined to the Madison Sports Hall of Fame.
Graf resides in Edina, Minnesota, and his wife and their three children.