| Date of birth: | March 14, 1943 |
| Place of birth: | San Mateo, California |
| Date of death: | June 18, 2012 (aged 69) |
| Place of death: | San Mateo, California |
| Career information | |
|---|---|
| Position(s): | Guard |
| College: | San Diego State University |
| NFL Draft: | 1966 / Round: 11 / Pick 168 (By the Green Bay Packers) |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1966-1970 1972-1973 |
Pittsburgh Steelers San Diego Chargers |
| Playing stats at DatabaseFootball.com | |
Ralph Richard Wenzel (March 14, 1943 – June 18, 2012) was a professional American football player who played guard for seven seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers.[1] Wenzel's family, including his parents, two children and four grandchildren reside in San Diego, with his elder brother residing in Hawaii.
Early onset of dementia[]
Wenzel's name has gained notoriety as of late 2009, when Wenzel's wife, Dr. Eleanor Perfetto, testified on Wenzel's dementia.[2] Perfetto testified that Wenzel's football career probably had a causal effect with his dementia.
References[]
- ↑ Schwarz, Alan. "Ralph Wenzel, Whose Dementia Helped Start a Debate, Dies at 69," The New York Times, Saturday, June 23, 2012.
- ↑ "Goodell Defends N.F.L.’s Handling of Head Injuries". The New York Times. October 28, 2009. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/29/sports/football/29injury.html?_r=1&hp. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
External links[]
- NYTimes article on dementia :
- Wives United by Husbands’ Post-N.F.L. Trauma
- Case Will Test N.F.L. Teams’ Liability in Dementia
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