Adolph Bieberstein
{{Short description|American football player (1902–1981)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image = File:Adolph Bieberstein.png
| caption = Bieberstein in 1926
| position = Guard
| number = 18
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1902|12|17|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Phillips, Wisconsin, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1981|12|31|1902|12|17}}
| death_place = Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.
| college = Wisconsin (1921–1924)
| high_school = Phillips (WI)
| pastteams =
- Racine Tornadoes ({{NFL Year|1926}})
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1926}})
| pastcoaching=
- Wisconsin (1925)
Line coach - Wisconsin (1931)
Assistant coach
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 6
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 6
| pfr = BiebAd20
}}
Adolph Joseph Bieberstein (December 17, 1902 – December 31, 1981) was an American professional football guard and attorney. From Phillips, Wisconsin, he played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers and was an All-Big Ten Conference selection. After briefly serving as a coach, he joined the Racine Tornadoes of the National Football League (NFL) in 1926. He played that year for the Tornadoes and, after they disbanded, in one game for the Green Bay Packers. Following his football career, Bieberstein became an attorney. He was a candidate for several political offices and held positions in state government agencies. He was also a special counsel in a border dispute between Wisconsin and Michigan and argued before the Supreme Court of the United States for that case.
Early life and college career
Bieberstein was born December 17, 1902, in Phillips, Wisconsin.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/b/bieb00200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=June 15, 2025|title=Adolph Bieberstein Stats}} He was descended from a German family of pioneers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/174600726/|newspaper=The Capital Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 10, 1932|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/174600804/ 8]|title=Bieberstein Is Candidate for Assembly}} {{Open access}} He attended Phillips High School and was the school's only alumnus to play in the NFL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93b962ce|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=June 15, 2025|title=Phillips (Phillips, WI) Alumni Pro Stats}} After high school, Bieberstein attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison from 1921 to 1924 and played football for the Wisconsin Badgers. Before making the varsity team, he played in the school's freshman and sophomore football game and returned a blocked punt for a touchdown.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/174594393/|newspaper=The Capital Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 27, 1922|page=7|title=Bieberstein Injured In Football Practice}} {{Open access}} By his sophomore year, he was noted in The Capital Times to be a "lineman of exceptional ability although handicapped by lack of weight".
Bieberstein debuted for the varsity in 1923 and was described as a "tower of strength" in his two years for the Badgers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-times-bieberstein-and-boettc/117997288/|newspaper=The Journal Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 9, 1926|page=16|title=Bieberstein And Boettcher Added To Football Roll|author=Hankerson, Put}} {{Open access}} He was selected first-team All-Big Ten Conference as a guard nearly unanimously for the 1923 season. As a senior, he was considered Wisconsin's "iron man", with the Times describing him going "through game after game without an injury or without being removed".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/174595390/|newspaper=The Capital Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 22, 1924|page=11|title=Badger "Iron Man"}} {{Open access}} He repeated as a first-team All-Big Ten selection in his senior year. As Bieberstein was set to graduate following the 1924 season, one Madison sportswriter stated that "his absence will leave a big hole ... Players in the forward wall are often overlooked in picking star performers on the team, but Bierberstein's work has been of such caliber that he was recognized all over the conference as one of the best guards in the history of the Big Ten". In addition to playing football at Wisconsin, he also competed in track and field and wrestling. After he graduated, he served as the football team's line coach during the 1925 season while also studying law.
Professional career
In September 1926, Bieberstein signed to play professional football for the Racine Tornadoes of the National Football League (NFL). He was the largest player on the team, weighing {{convert|210|lb|kg}}, and considered their top lineman; the Green Bay Press-Gazette reported that he was regarded "as at least the equal of any lineman who ever wore a Racine uniform".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/174597532/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 22, 1926|page=24|title=Bieberstein of Wisconsin Is Husky Lineman While Sterr Is 'Half-Pint' Quarterback}} {{Open access}} He started all five games for the Tornadoes as they compiled a record of 1–4 before folding.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1926nflrac.html|website=Pro Football Archives|access-date=June 15, 2025|title=1926 Racine Tornadoes (NFL)}} Following the disbandment of the Tornadoes, he signed with the Green Bay Packers in November 1926; when the Tornadoes had played the Packers, Bieberstein was described in the Press-Gazette as the only Tornado lineman to play well.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/174598546/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 13, 1926|page=16|title=Bieberstein, Former Wisconsin Star, Has Joined Packer Team}} {{Open access}} He only played one game for the Packers, starting at left guard in their 20–14 loss to the Frankford Yellow Jackets.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-journal-times/174598740/|newspaper=The Journal Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 26, 1926|page=37|title=Green Bay Packers Downed By Jackets}} {{Open access}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BiebAd20.htm|website=Pro Football Reference|access-date=June 15, 2025|title=Adolph Bieberstein Stats}}
Legal career and later life
After the football season, Bieberstein graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School and was then admitted to the bar in February 1927.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/174598888/|newspaper=The Capital Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 27, 1927|page=9|title=A. J. Bieberstein, Former Grid Star, Joins Legal Firm}} {{Open access}} Later that year, he joined the law firm Bull and Biart, which was then renamed to Bull, Biart and Bieberstein. In 1928, he ran for election to be the district attorney for Dane County as a member of the Democratic Party, though he was defeated by Fred Risser.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal/174599133/|newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 15, 1928|page=25|title=Bieberstein Enters Race For Dane District Attorney}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/174599708/|newspaper=The Capital Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 7, 1928|page=10|title=Bieberstein Greets Risser As Victor}} {{Open access}}
Bieberstein returned to Wisconsin as an assistant football coach in 1931.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/174600567/|newspaper=The Capital Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 2, 1931|page=3|title=Levis' Salary Figures}} {{Open access}} In 1932, he was an unsuccessful candidate for the Wisconsin State Assembly, defeated by Francis Lamb with 8,693 votes, compared to Lamb's 13,118.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal/174600850/|newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 9, 1932|page=1|title=Reis Winner Over Riley for State Senate}} {{Open access}} The following year, he was appointed by the Wisconsin governor to the state bureau of personnel, before being named examiner for the public service commission in 1934.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal-governor-appoint/161370117/|newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 7, 1933|page=1|title=Governor Puts Bieberstein on Service Board}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/174601122/|newspaper=The Capital Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 16, 1934|page=18|title=Their Real Attitude on Civil Service}} {{Open access}}
Towards the end of 1934, Bieberstein was appointed special counsel and was involved in a dispute between Michigan and Wisconsin regarding the states' border.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kenosha-news/174601346/|newspaper=Kenosha News|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 6, 1934|page=11|title=Wis. Victory in Boundary Fight Nears}} {{Open access}} According to the Kenosha News, "the two states had disputed the location of the boundary line from the Menominee river to the center of the bay. Wisconsin sought a triangular area between the river mouth and Chambers Island, while Michigan contended the boundary line should run directly east to the center of the bay".{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kenosha-news/174601413/|newspaper=Kenosha News|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 23, 1935|page=10|title=Special Master Inspects State Boundary Line|agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}} Bieberstein argued his state's case before the Supreme Court of the United States.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/174601558/|newspaper=The Capital Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 17, 1935|page=7|title=Bieberstein Hit By Court}} {{Open access}} Eventually, Wisconsin conceded "area in the vicinity of the river". He remained with his law firm for 22 years before leaving to form Stephens, Cannon, Bieberstein, and Cooper, in 1948.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal/174601940/|newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 26, 1948|page=4|title=Four Form Law Partnership Here}} {{Open access}} He later was a member of Bieberstein, Cooper, Bruemmer, Hanson and Tinglum.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/174602097/|newspaper=The Capital Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 31, 1981|page=23|title=Bieberstein funeral Saturday}} {{Open access}}
Bieberstein was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles and served as the organization's Madison president.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/174599800/|newspaper=The Capital Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 7, 1929|page=8|title=Bieberstein, Local Attorney, To Head Madison Eagles}} {{Open access}} He served on the Belleville State Bank board of directors, was president of the Madison Club, and served as president of the Dane County Bar Association.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal/174602139/|newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=January 2, 1982|page=20|title=Attorney Adolph Bieberstein dies}} {{Open access}} Bieberstein was married to Amine Bieberstein, having two children with her before their divorce in 1936.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/174601712/|newspaper=The Capital Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 5, 1936|page=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times/174601769/ 6]|title=Atty. Bieberstein Is Divorced; Wife to Receive $150 Monthly}} {{Open access}} He remarried to Merle Klug in 1937.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-marriage-of-bieberstei/174601807/|newspaper=The Capital Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 27, 1937|page=6|title=A. J. Bieberstein Married Sunday At Merrill, Wis.}} {{Open access}} He died on December 31, 1981, in Madison, at the age of 79.
References
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Category:American football guards
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:Racine Legion players
Category:Wisconsin Badgers football players
Category:People from Phillips, Wisconsin
Category:Players of American football from Wisconsin
Category:20th-century American sportsmen