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Phil
Ragazzo, Cleveland Rams 1939
PO1.1336 |
Phil
Ragazzo
Philip John Ragazzo (June 24, 1915 –
October 3, 1994) was an American football lineman who played in
the National Football League (NFL) for the Cleveland Rams, the
Philadelphia Eagles, and the New York Giants.
He played college football at Western Reserve
University (now known as Case Western Reserve University) and
was drafted in the eighth round of the 1938 NFL Draft by the Green
Bay Packers. He was inducted into the Case Western Reserve Hall
of Fame in 1975.
Considered one of the toughest at his position
during his era, he played seven seasons in the National Football
League, starting first with the Cleveland Rams (1938–1940)
and then moving over to the Philadelphia Eagles (1940–1941)
after being traded by the Rams. His play was interrupted by World
War II, but he returned to the NFL as a member of the New York
Giants where he played from 1945 to 1947.
After football, he became a history teacher at
Niles McKinley High School where he taught until his retirement.
He died in Niles, Ohio of natural causes, October 3, 1994 at age
79.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phil_Ragazzo |
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1941 Eagles photograph with
Phil Ragazzo(elbow on stone).
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C:
Phil Ragazzo in football uniform at Bainbridge Naval Training
Center, 1943.
Phil Ragazzo played football for the U.S. Navy
from 1942-1944
His play was interrupted by World War II, but
he returned to the NFL as a member of the New York Giants where
he played from 1945 to 1947. |
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1936 photograph featuring Phil
Ragazzo bearing down on running back. |
The 1935
Western Reserve Red Cats football team represented Western Reserve
University, now known as Case Western Reserve University, during
the 1935 college football season. The team was led by first–year
head coach Bill Edwards, who was assisted by Cyril
Surington and George Brown.
Notable players included Frank “Doc”
Kelker, Ray Zeh, George “Puck” Burgeon, Gene Myslenski,
and Phil Ragazzo. The Red Cats went undefeated while
at home.
The Bill Edwards era (1936–1941) propelled
Western Reserve into the national spotlight, achieving three undefeated
seasons (1935, 1936, and 1938), a 28-game win streak, and the
school's only bowl game – 1941 Sun Bowl, played Jan 1, 1941.
The undefeated teams featured strong play from
Ray Zeh, Frank “Doc”Kelker, Phil Ragazzo, Albie
Litwak, Johnny Ries, Gene Myslenski, Mike Rodak, Dick Booth, and
Johnny Wilson.
During the 1935 college football season, Ray
Zeh led the nation in scoring with 112 points. Over his six-year
tenure, Coach Edwards guided the team to a 49–6–2
(0.877) record, earning a spot in the College Football Hall of
Fame before heading off to coach the Detroit Lions.
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Photograph of Niles High School
football team, 1930.
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A graduate of Niles
High School, he was a three–year letterman for the Red Dragons,
graduating in 1934.
He was an All–County and All–Ohio
selection during a storied scholastic career, playing collegiately
for Western Reserve from 1934 to 1937 where he earned All–American
honors as a lineman.
R: Phil Ragazzo was a member of the Art Metal
Club in ninth grade. |
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L: Phil Ragazzo Niles High School
Basketball photograph.
C: Phil Ragazzo photograph of
1933 Follies.
R: Pete Gales and Phil Ragazzo
in front of Niles High School, 1934.
A scholarship Fund has been established
in Phil Ragazzo’s name by his family for Niles McKinley
High School students attending Case Western Reserve University.
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Phil Ragazzo,
Niles Teacher and Coach.
Phil Ragazzo was a teacher at Niles McKinley
High School where he taught until his retirement. First, he became
a history teacher at Niles McKinley High School. Later he was
the Driver Educaton Instructor.
He also was an assistant football coach for Joe
Bassett and under Head Coach Tony Mason.
Phil Ragazzo also served as acting Postmaster,
July 5,1963 and was appointed as Postmaster October 1, 1963 of
the Niles Post Office until January 1965, returning to teaching
in 1965.
Top Right: Speakers at Frontliners banquet in
honor of the 1964 Niles McKinley High School football squad.
Phil Ragazzo gave the welcoming address.
Bottom Right: Teaching in the Niles McKinley
High School auditorium, 1978.
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Driver Education teacher
with student, Gail Charlton.
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Phil Ragazzo with three students.
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Coach Ragazzo on the sidelines during
Akron South football game, 1962.
Coach Tony Mason discussing play
with QB Jim Seiber in background.
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