He played college football for Minnesota from 1926 to 1929.[3] On October 27, 1929, he scored 22 points in a victory over Ripon.[4] He tied for the Big Ten Conference scoring title during the 1929 season.[5]
In early 1930, he also played basketball on an independent barnstorming team organized by his University of Minnesota teammate, Bronko Nagurski.[6]
Professional football
Minneapolis Red Jackets
In September 1930, Pharmer joined the Minneapolis Red Jackets of the NFL. He appeared in a total of eight games for the Red Jackets, five of them as a starter.[1] On September 21, he kicked five extra points in the Red Jacket's season opener against the Northland Oils.[7] On October 12, as the team's starting halfback, he intercepted two passes in 13–0 victory over the Portsmouth Panthers.[8]
Frankford Yellow Jackets
In mid-November 1930, Pharmer joined the Frankford Yellow Jackets of the NFL. He appeared in the final five games of the 1930 season for the Frankford team.[1] On November 15, he kicked the game-winning extra point in a 7–6 victory over Portsmouth.[9] He returned to the Yellow Jackets for the 1931 season, starting two games.[1]
During two seasons in the NFL, Pharmer appeared in a total of 15 games, 12 as a starter.[1]
Minor league football
After his NFL career ended, Pharmer continued to play for minor league teams. During the 1931 season, he played for the Clifton Heights Orange & Black. He was described as the team's "big gun", scoring 13 points in the first half of a game against the Bethlehem Panthers.[10] He moved to the Eastern United States and played at the fullback position for the Pittsfield Professionals of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.[11][12] In 1933, he played for the Albany Knickerbockers of Albany, New York.[13] He returned to Minnesota in 1934, playing for the University of Minnesota All Stars and Ken Haycraft's St. Paul All Stars.[14][15]
Later years
After retiring from football, he worked at a Minneapolis sporting good store, specializing in fishing.[16][17] In 1939, he pursued, tackled, and captured a shoplifter who attempted to steal and then ran from the store.[18] After tackling the shoplifter, Pharmer delivered him to the police.[18] He later moved to White Bear Lake, Minnesota, and later still to Dayton, Ohio. He died in Dayton in 1970 at age 61.[19]