John Wiatrak

John Philip Wiatrak (March 30, 1913 – October 21, 2000) was a football center for the University of Washington. He was selected by the Cleveland Rams in the fourth round of the 1937 NFL Draft.[1] Wiatrak played one season for the Detroit Lions.

John Wiatrak
Personal information
Born:(1913-03-30)March 30, 1913
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Died:(2000-10-21)October 21, 2000
Olympia, Washington, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
College:University of Washington
Position:Center
NFL Draft:1937 / Round: 4 / Pick: 40 (drafted by Cleveland Rams)
Career history
Player stats at PFR

Early years

John Wiatrak was born in Chicago, Illinois. He was one of the "Strauss Boys" who were recruited by Alfred "Doc" Strauss. Dr. Alfred Strauss, a renowned surgeon and a pioneer in cancer research, was a Washington alumnus that moved to Chicago when he attended medical school. Over the years he recruited more than 100 football players from the Chicago area to the University of Washington, several of whom became All Americans.[2]

Football career

At the University of Washington Wiatrak lettered in 1934, '35 and '36 seasons.[3] He was honored by playing, along with his teammate Max Starcevich, in the 1937 Chicago Tribune All-Star Game. He was a backup center for the collegiate team that defeated the defending NFL Champion Green Bay Packers, 6-0.[4] John was drafted by the Cleveland Rams but did not play for them. Later he did play one in one game for the 1939 Detroit Lions.[5]

Later life

Waitrak married a Seattle girl, Muriel Ralston. They moved to Chicago in 1939 and founded an electrical contracting company. John and Muriel moved back to Western Washington in 1980 and lived in Olympia until their deaths.[6]

References
  1. "1937 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
  2. Dick, Rockne (July 1, 1975). "Strauss' Boys". Bow Down To Washington, A Story of Husky Football. The Strode Publishers. p. 68. ISBN 087397073X.
  3. Daves, Jim; Porter, Thomas (November 17, 2001). "Husky Letter Winners". The Glory of Washington: The People and Events That Shaped Washington's Athletic Tradition. Sports Publishing, Inc. p. 337. ISBN 978-1582612218.
  4. Kuechle, Oliver (September 2, 1937). "Sam Baugh's Pass, Stalwart Defense Give Stars 6-0 Victory Over Packers". The Milwaukee Journal. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  5. "John Wiatrak". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved November 10, 2019.
  6. "Death Notice: MURIEL WIATRAK". Chicago Tribune. December 26, 2009. Retrieved Nov 10, 2019.


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