Ernie Wheeler

Ernie Wheeler
Personal information
Born:(1915-01-28)January 28, 1915
Fargo, North Dakota, U.S.
Died:June 18, 1982(1982-06-18) (aged 67)
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
College:North Dakota State
Position:Defensive back–Tailback
NFL draft:1939 / round: 5 / pick: 32
Career history

Ernest Martin Wheeler (January 28, 1915 – June 18, 1982)[1] was an American football defensive back and tailback who played in the National Football League (NFL) in 1939 and 1942.[2]

Wheeler played college football at North Dakota State University from 1936 to 1938, and was named to the All-North Central Conference team each year as a running back. In college, he also played basketball and participated in track events.[3] In the 1939 NFL draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates chose Wheeler with the 32nd overall pick, during round five.[4] Wheeler played in five games for the Pirates, posting 8 rushing yards in 15 attempts. He also delivered a punt of 75 yards, the second-longest in the NFL that year. Later in 1939, Wheeler played in two games for the Chicago Cardinals, rushing the ball twice for a net loss of eight yards. He did not play again in the NFL until 1942, when he played in three games for the Cardinals.[2] Wheeler was part of the inaugural class inducted into North Dakota State's Bison Athletic Hall of Fame in 1972.[5]

References

  1. ^ The ESPN Pro Football Encyclopedia Second Edition. New York City: Sterling Publishing. 2007. p. 733. ISBN 978-1-4027-5250-6.
  2. ^ a b "Ernie Wheeler". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved October 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Ernie Wheeler". North Dakota State University. November 5, 2004. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  4. ^ "1939 NFL Draft". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  5. ^ "Bison Athletic Hall of Fame". North Dakota State University. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved September 23, 2017.


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