Lou Midler
{{Short description|American football player (1915–1992)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Lou Midler
| number = 23, 27
| birth_date = {{birth date|1915|7|21}}
| birth_place = St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1992|8|29|1915|7|21}}
| death_place = St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 223
| high_school = Washington (MN)
| college = Minnesota (1934–1937)
| draftyear = 1938
| draftround = 5
| draftpick = 34
| pastteams =
- Pittsburgh Pirates ({{NFL Year|1939}})
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1940}})
| pastcoaching =
- Ohio Wesleyan (1938)
Line coach - Macalester (1980–1991)
Assistant coach
| highlights =
- 3× National champion (1934, 1935, 1936)
- First-team All-Big Ten (1937)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 18
| pfr = MidlLo20
}}
Louis Thomas Midler (July 21, 1915 – August 29, 1992) was an American football guard and tackle who played two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Green Bay Packers. He played college football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers and was selected by the Pirates in the fifth round of the 1938 NFL draft.
Early life
Louis Thomas Milder was born on July 21, 1915, in St. Paul, Minnesota.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MidlLo20.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Lou Midler Stats|access-date=March 28, 2018|archive-date=March 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225711/http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MidlLo20.htm|url-status=live}} Growing up, he played football with kids older than himself as he was large for his age.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch/133790457/|newspaper=The Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 15, 1937|page=20|title=Midler Keeps Promise to Minnesota's Trainer; Helps Gopher Football Team|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025221000/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch/133790457/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} Midler weighed {{convert|180|lb|kg}} by the time he reached high school. He attended Washington High School in St. Paul and is their only alumnus to play in the NFL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93bebfd1|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|title=Washington (St. Paul, MN) Alumni Pro Stats|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 21, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021004602/https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93bebfd1|url-status=live}} As a freshman at Washington, Midler played every position except for quarterback and center. He then focused on playing tackle and was regarded as one of the team's top players and was named an all-city selection.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/133790836/|newspaper=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 24, 1932|page=19|title=Washington May Lose Star Tackle for Title Game Today|author=Beebe, Bob|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025221002/https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/133790836/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
College career
Midler enrolled at the University of Minnesota and began playing for their Golden Gopher football team in 1934 to fulfill a promise he made to one of their trainers. He had previously, when in high school, gone to a Minnesota facility and asked for a trainer for to look at his injured shoulder. He told the trainer who treated him, "You fix that shoulder up and I'll be back in a couple of years to play football for the Gophers." The trainer did not take him seriously, but Midler fulfilled his promise by going out for the Minnesota football team in 1934. That season, he played for the freshman team and was considered one of its "outstanding" players; a Star Tribune reporter described him as "exceptionally powerful, fast and alert," as well as the "best punter at Minnesota since Clarence Munn".{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/133792154/|newspaper=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 29, 1934|page=23|title=Sportographs|author=Barton, George A.|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025221003/https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune/133792154/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}
Midler lettered as a sophomore in 1935 and became a starter for the varsity team; he was switched at different times between guard and tackle throughout the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerm/midl00200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Lou Midler Stats|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=January 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127112349/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerm/midl00200.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star/133792575/|newspaper=The Minneapolis Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 1, 1935|page=13|title=Midler Steps Up As Gopher Line Pinch-Hitter|author=Swanson, Bernard|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025221007/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star/133792575/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} That year, he helped them go undefeated, win the conference championship and win the national championship.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/minnesota/1935-schedule.html|website=Sports Reference|title=1935 Minnesota Golden Gophers Schedule and Results|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=April 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230405032126/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/minnesota/1935-schedule.html|url-status=live}} A 60-minute man in some games, Midler helped Minnesota repeat as conference and national champions in 1936.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-journal/133793344/|newspaper=The Minneapolis Journal|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 28, 1936|page=18|title=The Other Side|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025221509/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-journal/133793344/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/minnesota/1936-schedule.html|website=Sports Reference|title=1936 Minnesota Golden Gophers Schedule and Results|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=September 18, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918053422/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/minnesota/1936-schedule.html|url-status=live}} As a senior in 1937, he helped the Golden Gophers compile a record of {{Win-loss record|w=7|l=1}} and win the conference championship while being named first-team All-Big Ten.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/minnesota/1937-schedule.html|website=Sports Reference|title=1937 Minnesota Golden Gophers Schedule and Results|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=August 3, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803130639/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/minnesota/1937-schedule.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-central-new-jersey-home-news/133793600/|newspaper=The Central New Jersey Home News|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 22, 1937|page=16|agency=Associated Press|title=Minnesota Gets Three Stalwarts On Big Ten Team|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025221511/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-central-new-jersey-home-news/133793600/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star/133793662/|newspaper=The Minneapolis Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 26, 1937|page=18|title=Midler Regrets That He Didn't Do a Better Job|author=Swanson, Bernard|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025221511/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star/133793662/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He also played in the East–West Shrine Bowl and in the Chicago College All-Star Game.{{Cite news|url=https://newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star/133793753/|newspaper=The Minneapolis Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 4, 1937|page=3|title=Ray King, Lou Midler Get Bids to East-West Game|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025221512/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star/133793753/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune/133794265/|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 17, 1938|page=17|title=Getting Ready for the Redskins|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025221515/https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune/133794265/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} Head coach Bernie Bierman later called Midler the greatest lineman he had ever coached.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-obituary-for-l-ex-nfl/133795227/|newspaper=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 1, 1992|page=23|title=Ex-NFL, 'U' Player L. Midler, 77, dies|author=Chanen, David|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025222021/https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-obituary-for-l-ex-nfl/133795227/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} In addition to football, he also played basketball and baseball at Minnesota.
Professional career
Midler was selected in the fifth round (34th overall) of the 1938 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates but spent that year coaching the line for the Ohio Wesleyan Battling Bishops.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader/133794379/|newspaper=The Springfield News-Leader|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 8, 1938|page=6|title=Midler Line Coach|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025222017/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-news-leader/133794379/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1938nfldraft.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=1938 NFL Draft|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 6, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211006100054/https://www.profootballarchives.com/1938nfldraft.html|url-status=live}} He joined the Pirates in 1939 and became a starter at tackle, finishing the year having played all 11 games played with four starts.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press/133794585/|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 24, 1939|page=23|title=Pirates Play Cards In Pro Grid Opener|author=Burcky, Claire M.|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025222018/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-pittsburgh-press/133794585/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1939nflpit.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=1939 Pittsburgh Pirates (NFL)|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=January 30, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230130052432/https://www.profootballarchives.com/1939nflpit.html|url-status=live}} He was traded to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for Hank Bruder in July 1940 and signed with the Packers the following month.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133794802/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 29, 1940|page=13|title=Lou Midler Expected to Join Ranks of Packers|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025222021/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133794802/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133794919/|newspaper=Green Bay Press-Gazette|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 7, 1940|page=13|title=Lou Midler Signs With Packers; Anderson Named Head Coach of College All-Stars|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025222524/https://www.newspapers.com/article/green-bay-press-gazette/133794919/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} Midler played seven games for Green Bay in the 1940 season, one as a starter. He was released on September 10, 1941.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactionsm/midl00200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Lou Midler NFL Transactions|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025222549/https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactionsm/midl00200.html|url-status=live}}
Later life
Midler served as a lieutenant in the United States Navy during World War II.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star/133795106/|newspaper=The Minneapolis Star|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 25, 1945|page=21|title=Radar for Gopher Ends? Schultz, Midler Reunite|access-date=October 21, 2023|archive-date=October 25, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025222525/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-minneapolis-star/133795106/|url-status=live}} {{Open access}} He later lived in St. Paul and was a member of the M Club, the Saint Paul Vulcan organization, and was president of the St. Paul Commercial Club. From 1980 to 1991, he was an assistant coach for the Macalester Scots football program. He had three children. Midler died on August 29, 1992, in St. Paul, of cancer.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{find a Grave|3476504}}
{{1934 Minnesota Golden Gophers football navbox}}
{{1935 Minnesota Golden Gophers football navbox}}
{{1936 Minnesota Golden Gophers football navbox}}
{{Pirates1938DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Midler, Lou}}
Category:Players of American football from Saint Paul, Minnesota
Category:Pittsburgh Pirates (football) players