Rick Graf

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Rick Graf

| number = 58, 99, 93, 90

| position = Linebacker

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1964|8|29}}

| birth_place = Iowa City, Iowa, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 5

| weight_lb = 244

| high_school = James Madison Memorial

| college = Wisconsin

| draftyear = 1987

| draftround = 2

| draftpick = 43

| pastteams =

Miami Dolphins ({{NFL Year|1987|1990}})
Houston Oilers ({{NFL Year|1991|1992}})
Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|1993|1994}})

| highlights =

Second-team All-Big Ten (1986)

| statlabel1 = Sacks

| statvalue1 = 4.0

| statlabel2 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue2 = 5

| statlabel3 = Interceptions

| statvalue3 = 2

| pfr = GrafRi20

}}

Richard Glenn Graf (born August 29, 1964) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for eight years in the National Football League (NFL) for the Miami Dolphins (1987–1990), the Houston Oilers (1991–1992), and the Washington Redskins (1993–1994). He played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers.

Early life

Graf is the youngest of three sons of Richard and Barbara Graf. He was raised in Madison, Wisconsin. While attending Madison public schools, he was active in swimming, track and field, hockey, and football. Graf graduated in 1982 from James Madison Memorial High School.

During high school, Graf was an all-state linebacker in football. He also played on the third line for the Madison Memorial hockey team. He also competed in track and field as a sprinter and 110-meter high hurdler.

College career

Graf was recruited to the University of Wisconsin–Madison by Dave McClain. After being red-shirted his first college football season with an ankle injury, he was a four-year starter from 1983 to 1986.

During the 1985 season, Graf tore his ACL in a game against Northwestern University. This injury ended his season.

Graf returned and played in his senior year. Despite Wisconsin's 3–9 team record, he was named All-Big Ten linebacker by the coaches and media.{{cite news|last1=Hill|first1=Bob|title=1987: Defense gets 1–2 punch|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/sfl-doldraft87-story.html|accessdate=May 13, 2018|work=Sun-Sentinel|date=April 29, 1987}}

During his collegiate years, Graf participated in two college plays: the Sound of Music and Antigone. Graf completed his undergraduate degree in communications (B.S. 1987).

Professional career

Graf (6 ft 5 in and 239 lbs.) was selected in the second round (43rd pick) of the 1987 NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins.{{Cite web |title=1987 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1987/draft.htm |access-date=September 25, 2023 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He became a starter during his rookie year, the 1987 NFL season.

Graf played for the Miami Dolphins (1986–90), the Houston Oilers (1991–92), and the Washington Redskins (1993–94). He was forced to retire after a severe neck injury suffered in the last pre-season game with the Redskins.

Graf is an active member of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football League Alumni organization.

In 1988, Graf was named Favorite Son of Madison by the Pen and Mike Club.
In 2003, Graf was made a member of the Madison Sports Hall of Fame.{{cite web|title=Rick Graf|url=http://madisonsportshalloffame.org/plaques/grafr.html|website=Madison Sports Hall of Fame|accessdate=May 13, 2018|archive-date=July 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170724013727/http://madisonsportshalloffame.org/plaques/grafr.html|url-status=dead}}

Graf resides in Edina, Minnesota, and his wife and their three children.{{citation needed|date=December 2016}}

References

Category:1964 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football linebackers

Category:Miami Dolphins players

Category:Houston Oilers players

Category:Washington Redskins players

Category:Wisconsin Badgers football players

Category:Players of American football from Iowa City, Iowa

Category:Players of American football from Madison, Wisconsin