Elmer Wilkens
{{Short description|American football player (1901–1967)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Elmer Wilkens
| image = Elmer Wilkens.jpg
| position = End, quarterback
| number = 18
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1901|6|25}}.
| birth_place = Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1967|3|18|1901|6|25}}
| death_place = Fort Wayne, Indiana, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 9
| weight_lbs = 175
| high_school = Fort Wayne (IN)
| college = Indiana (1920–1923)
| pastteams =
| pastcoaching =
- Indiana freshmen (1924)
Head coach
| statseason =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 6 or 7{{efn|name=A}}
| pfr = WilkEl20
}}
Elmer Sutter Wilkens (June 25, 1901 – March 18, 1967) was an American football end and quarterback. He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers from 1920 to 1923 and later coached their freshman team in 1924. Afterwards, he played with the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL) in 1925.
Early life and education
Wilkens was born on June 25, 1901, in Fort Wayne, Indiana.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerw/wilk00300.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Elmer Wilkens Stats|access-date=2023-08-18|archive-date=2023-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818165322/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerw/wilk00300.html|url-status=live}} He attended Fort Wayne High School and became one of only three of their alumni ever to make it to the NFL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93b8cefc|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Fort Wayne (Fort Wayne, IN) Alumni Pro Stats|access-date=2023-08-18|archive-date=2023-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818165325/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93b8cefc|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93b8f98a|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Wayne (Fort Wayne, IN) Alumni Pro Stats|access-date=2023-08-18|archive-date=2023-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818165322/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93b8f98a|url-status=live}} He also played basketball at Fort Wayne.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-richmond-item/130227046/|newspaper=The Richmond Item|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 4, 1917|page=5|title=Winchester High Beats Ft. Wayne|access-date=August 18, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195258/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-richmond-item/130227046/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} In 1920, he enrolled at Indiana University Bloomington, playing for the freshman football squad that year and captaining it.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/kenosha-news/130226850/|newspaper=Kenosha News|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 24, 1925|page=5|title=Green Bay Packers Signing Grid Stars|access-date=August 18, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195258/https://www.newspapers.com/article/kenosha-news/130226850/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Wilkens earned a spot on the varsity football team in 1921 as a sophomore, earning his first letter. The team's starting quarterback from the prior season, Charlie Mathys, had graduated, and Wilkens was moved to fill in his spot.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-and-courier/130227305/|newspaper=Journal and Courier|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 4, 1921|page=11|title=Stars at Quarter For Indiana Team|access-date=August 18, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195300/https://www.newspapers.com/article/journal-and-courier/130227305/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-bend-news-times/130228165/|newspaper=South Bend News-Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 20, 1921|page=9|title=Fort Wayne Youth Indiana's Quarter|access-date=August 18, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195444/https://www.newspapers.com/article/south-bend-news-times/130228165/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} According to the Journal and Courier, many fans asked questions about the quarterback position for the 1921 season, and Wilkens "answered the query." He reportedly surprised even those who were critical of him during the year, and in November coach Ewald O. Stiehm said that "Wilkens has not made a single tactical blunder in any of the games thus far."
The Journal and Courier said of Wilkens that in addition to his quarterbacking skills, he "is a good open-field runner and a sure tackler. He lacks some of Mathys' experience in defensive play, but is improving right along in this respect." The Indianapolis News reported that he "runs the team nicely, runs well in the open, appears to be of solid judgement ... it is admitted that Sti[e]hm has chosen wisely and well."{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news/130227702/|newspaper=The Indianapolis News|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 25, 1921|page=22|title=Fill Shoes Of Mathys And Gipp}} {{Open access}} The 1921 Indiana Hoosiers finished with a record of 3–4.{{Cite web|title=1921 Indiana Hoosiers Schedule and Results|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/indiana/1921-schedule.html|website=Sports-Reference.com|access-date=2023-08-18|archive-date=2023-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818171007/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/indiana/1921-schedule.html|url-status=live}}
Wilkens continued playing quarterback for Indiana in 1922, earning another letter as the team finished with a record of 1–4–2.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/indiana/1922-schedule.html|website=Sports-Reference.com|title=1922 Indiana Hoosiers Schedule and Results|access-date=2023-08-18|archive-date=2023-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818171036/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/indiana/1922-schedule.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-times/130228410/|newspaper=The Indianapolis Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 12, 1922|page=8|title="I" Men|access-date=August 18, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195809/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-times/130228410/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} As a senior in 1923, he played quarterback and as an end, being credited as one of the best receivers in the conference.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-record/130228567/|newspaper=News-Record|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 22, 1925|page=5|title=Wilkins, End From Indiana, Signs Up With Packer "11"|access-date=August 18, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195836/https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-record/130228567/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He was one of only two seniors on the team.{{Cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8uobLCQZlhAC&dq=Elmer+Wilkens&pg=PA51|chapter=Elmer Wilkens Man Of History|page=51|title=Glory of Old IU, Indiana University|date=1999|publisher=Sports Pub.|author=Hammel, Bob; Klingelhoffer, Kit|isbn=9781582610689|access-date=2023-08-18|archive-date=2023-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195837/https://books.google.com/books?id=8uobLCQZlhAC&dq=Elmer+Wilkens&pg=PA51|url-status=live}}
In November, the Hoosiers played what was dedicated as the last game at their long-time stadium Jordan Field. University president William Lowe Bryan held a celebration and called for "the men of 1923 ... to win the last game at Jordan Field." In the game, against rival Purdue, Wilkens successfully attempted a 44-yard field goal through a drop kick, winning what would be his last college game 3–0. The length of his kick set a team record that would stand for 41 years.
Wilkens remained at Indiana in 1924 to complete his education, but did not play for the football team due to the rules stating that players could only have three years of eligibility for the varsity team. During this time, he served as the head coach of the freshman football team. According to the News-Record, he had "great success" as a coach and "turned out a great [freshman] team."
Professional career
In July 1925, Wilkens signed with the Green Bay Packers of the NFL to play end. He made his NFL debut in the Packers' 31–0 win over the Milwaukee Badgers on October 11.{{efn|Wilkens did not appear in the first three games, against the Hammond Pros, Chicago Bears, and Rock Island Independents, first being mentioned in the game recap for the Badgers game.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus/130230859/|newspaper=The Rock Island Argus|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 21, 1925|page=12|title=Packers Trim Hammond Grid Squad, 14 To 0|access-date=August 18, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195845/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus/130230859/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal/130230969/|newspaper=Wisconsin State Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 28, 1925|page=12|title=Green Bay Packers Win From Bears|access-date=August 18, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195837/https://www.newspapers.com/article/wisconsin-state-journal/130230969/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus/130231009/|newspaper=The Rock Island Argus|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 29, 1925|page=12|title=Green Bay Real Menace For Independents|access-date=August 18, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195823/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus/130231009/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times/130231137/|newspaper=The Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 5, 1925|page=18|title=Independents Upset Green Bay Packers By 3 To 0|access-date=August 18, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195804/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times/130231137/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-october-12-1925/17689123/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 12, 1925|page=14|title=Packers Hand Milwaukee Badgers 31-0 Walloping|access-date=August 18, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195803/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette-october-12-1925/17689123/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}}} He finished the season having played in between six and seven games,{{efn|name=A|Pro-Football-Reference.com and Pro Football Archives conflict.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilkEl20.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Elmer Wilkens Stats|access-date=2018-03-28|archive-date=2017-06-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622133128/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilkEl20.htm|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1925nflgb.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=1925 Green Bay Packers (NFL)|access-date=2023-08-18|archive-date=2023-08-18|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230818181714/https://www.profootballarchives.com/1925nflgb.html|url-status=live}}}} four of which he started, helping the Packers compile a record of 8–5. The Quad-City Times reported that his play with the team was "sensational."{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times/8135029/|newspaper=Quad-City Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 4, 1925|page=31|title=Green Bay Man Who Will Tear Around Today|access-date=August 18, 2023|archive-date=August 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195809/https://www.newspapers.com/article/quad-city-times/8135029/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He wore number 18 with Green Bay, being the first player in team history with the number.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m9o2_k8zu4QC&dq=Elmer+Wilkens&pg=PA78|title=Packers by the Numbers: Jersey Numbers and the Players who Wore Them|author=Maxymuk, John|date=2003|publisher=Prairie Oak Press|isbn=9781879483903|page=78|access-date=2023-08-18|archive-date=2023-08-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821195844/https://books.google.com/books?id=m9o2_k8zu4QC&dq=Elmer+Wilkens&pg=PA78|url-status=live}} Wilkens did not return to the team in 1926.
Later life and death
Wilkens lived all of his life in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As of 1930, he worked at a bank as a bond salesman.Ancestry.com. [https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/118077300:6224 1930 United States Federal Census] {{subscription required}}. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. He married Pearl Koegel in June 1933.Ancestry.com. [https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1262263:60282 Indiana, U.S., Marriages, 1810-2001] {{subscription required}}. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014. He owned a business, the Wilkens Meat Market, in the early 1940s, prior to enlisting in the military for World War II in 1942.Ancestry.com. [https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/54699803:2442 1940 United States Federal Census] {{subscription required}}. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.Ancestry.com. [https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/40887238:2238 U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947] {{subscription required}}. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011. He was working as an inspector at a piston manufacturing plant by 1950.Ancestry.com. [https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/134252498:62308 1950 United States Federal Census] {{subscription required}}. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2022. Wilkens died on March 18, 1967, at the age of 65.
Notes
{{Notelist}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Find a Grave|62509981}}
{{Indiana Hoosiers quarterback navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Wilkens, Elmer}}
Category:American football ends
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:Indiana Hoosiers football players
Category:Players of American football from Fort Wayne, Indiana