Merle Zuver

American football player (1905–1969)

American football player
Merle Zuver
Black and white portrait of Zuver in uniform
Zuver at Nebraska
No. 14
Position:Guard
Personal information
Born:(1905-01-25)January 25, 1905
Adams, Nebraska, US
Died:March 25, 1969(1969-03-25) (aged 64)
Phoenix, Arizona, US
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:198 lb (90 kg)
Career information
High school:Adams (Nebraska)
College:Nebraska
Career history
  • Green Bay Packers (1930)
Career highlights and awards
  • NFL champion (1930)
Career NFL statistics
Games played:10
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Merle Dale Zuver (January 25, 1905 – March 25, 1969) was an American professional football player who was a guard for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers, where he lettered and was named to the all-conference team. During his only season in the NFL with the Packers in 1930, the team won the NFL Championship. After his career, he was an electrical contractor before retiring to Phoenix, Arizona.

Early life and college

Merle Zuver was born and raised in Adams, Nebraska, where he attended Adams High School. After high school, he went to the University of Nebraska where he lettered for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football for three years from 1926 to 1928.[1] He was also named to the all-conference team for two straight years. He was noted for his speed and aggressiveness on the playing field during his college years.[2]

Football career

After college graduation, Zuver played football for a season with the Ironton Tanks in Ironton, Ohio.[2] He also may have coached football during his time in Ohio.[3] In 1930, he signed on with the Green Bay Packers under head coach Curly Lambeau.[2] During the 1930 season, he played ten games for the Packers, starting in five of them.[4] The Packers finished the season with a record of 10–3–1, earning them their second consecutive championship.[5]

Personal life

Photo of a headstone with the names Zuver, Merle D (1905 - 1969) and Evelyn H. (1916 - 2007)
Zuver and his wife's headstone in Phoenix

After his football career, Zuver moved to Portland, Oregon, and worked as an electrical contractor. He retired in 1959 and moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Zuver married once but did not have any children. He died on March 25, 1969, at the age of 64.[6]

References

  1. ^ "Merle Zuver from Adams, pop. 573". Lincoln Journal Star. September 8, 2020. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Packers Get Veteran Tackle and Center". Green Bay Press-Gazette (clipping). August 19, 1930. p. 13. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Zuver and Hanny Sign With Green Bay Packers". Wausau Daily Herald (clipping). Associated Press. August 22, 1930. p. 10. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Merle Zuver". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  5. ^ Kuechle, Oliver (December 15, 1930). "Packers Tie Spartans and Win Championship". Milwaukee Journal. Archived from the original on January 9, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  6. ^ "Merle D. Zuver". Arizona Republic (clipping). March 27, 1969. p. D-7. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.