Herb Roedel
 Roedel with his two sons | |||||
| No. 61 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Guard | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | March 30, 1939 Appleton, Wisconsin, U.S. | ||||
| Died: | July 25, 2022 (aged 83) San Rafael, California, U.S. | ||||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 230 lb (104 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | St. Mary Catholic (Neenah, Wisconsin) | ||||
| College: | Marquette | ||||
| Undrafted: | 1961 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
| Career AFL statistics | |||||
| |||||
Herbert Thomas Roedel (March 30, 1939 – July 25, 2022) was an American professional football player who was a guard for one season in the American Football League (AFL) for the Oakland Raiders. He played college football at Marquette.
Early life and education
[edit]Roedel was born on March 30, 1939, in Appleton, Wisconsin.[1] He attended St. Mary Catholic High School in Neenah, Wisconsin, where he was a star football player on both offense and defense.[2] An article in the News-Record wrote of Roedel: "[he] has played as many minutes offense and defense as any member of the club. In more than one game he has gone all the way. Herb is a 200 pounder who has developed as one of the team's better straight ahead blockers and a defensive strongpoint."[2] In his time at St. Mary, Roedel won All-Fox Valley Catholic Conference as well as all-state honors.[3]
After graduating from St. Mary, Roedel joined Marquette University on a full football scholarship.[4] The Post-Crescent reported that he was rated "No. 1 guard prospect."[5] He was among 29 freshmen to earn football numerals in 1957.[6] He made the varsity team in 1958 and began seeing action at guard.[7] In 1959, Roedel earned a varsity letter and became a starting guard.[8][9] He continued as starter for his senior season, 1960.[3]
Roedel, who studied mechanical engineering at Marquette, graduated in 1961.[4]
Professional career
[edit]After going unselected in the 1961 NFL draft, Roedel was signed by the Dallas Cowboys.[10] He reported to training camp in July.[11] After not making the final roster there, Roedel was signed by the Oakland Raiders in the rival American Football League (AFL).[12] He began the season as the team's number two left guard, and saw action as a backup.[13] After an injury to Wayne Hawkins, Roedel became starting guard for a time.[14] He finished his rookie year with 14 appearances and two starts.[1]
After just one season of professional football, Roedel announced in March 1962 that he was retiring to concentrate on an engineering career.[15]
Later life and death
[edit]Roedel later became an engineer in San Francisco, California.[16] He also raced sailboats at the St. Francis Yacht Club nearby.[4] Afterwards, he was an avid road cyclist.[4] It was through cycling that he met his future wife, Jessica Wimer.[4] They married on May 28, 1983, and settled in San Rafael.[4] The couple had two children.[4] Later, Roedel began a business and named it the Derex Company, after his two sons, Alex and Derek.[4]
In 1988, Roedel was inducted into the St. Mary Catholic High School Athletic Hall of Fame.[17]
Roedel died on July 25, 2022, at the age of 83.[4]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Herb Roedel Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ^ a b "Konkol, Roedel, Pontow to Lead Zephyrs Tonight". News-Record. October 21, 1955. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b Mueller, Ralph (September 30, 1960). "Two Neenah Boys Oppose Each Other in Big State Rivalry". News-Record. p. 7 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Herb Roedel". San Francisco Chronicle. August 8, 2022 – via Legacy.com.
- ^ "Roedel Rated High". The Post-Crescent. July 16, 1959. p. 39 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Awarded Numerals". The Post-Crescent. December 11, 1957. p. 28 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Former Twin City Stars See Action On College Fronts". The Post-Crescent. October 17, 1958. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "2 Fox Cities Players Eye Marquette Berths". The Post-Crescent. August 21, 1959. p. 19 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Marquette In Night Game On West Coast". Chicago Tribune. October 17, 1959. p. 39 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Herb Roedel Signs With Cowboy '11'". The Post-Crescent. Associated Press. January 10, 1961. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Roedel Reports To Dallas '11'". The Oshkosh Northwestern. United Press International. July 11, 1961. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Raiders Add Roedel". Green Bay Press-Gazette. United Press International – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Roedel Understudies Left Guard on Oakland Pro Team". News-Record. October 25, 1961. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Injury Idles Hawkins". New York Daily News. Associated Press. October 20, 1961. p. 450 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Raiders Sign two Linemen". Oakland Tribune. March 13, 1962. p. 36 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Schoenfeld, Ed (August 26, 1973). "And Where Are the Old Raiders Nowadays?". Oakland Tribune. p. 99 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Mancosky, George (July 27, 1988). "'Hall' to add five in '89". The Post-Crescent. p. 46 – via Newspapers.com.
