Jack Lininger

Jack Lininger

Lininger on a 1951 Bowman football card
No. 57, 55
Position:	Linebacker / Center
Personal information
Born:	(1927-06-27)June 27, 1927 Van Wert, Ohio, U.S.
Died:	August 30, 2002(2002-08-30) (aged 75) Kennesaw, Georgia, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	217 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:	Van Wert
College:	Ohio State (1945–1949)
NFL draft:	1949 / round: 21 / pick: 202
Career history
Detroit Lions (1950–1951)
Career highlights and awards
Third-team All-American (1949) First-team All-Big Nine (1949)
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Raymond Jack Lininger (June 27, 1927 – August 30, 2002) was an American professional football linebacker who played two seasons with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Lions in the 21st round of the 1949 NFL draft after playing college football at Ohio State University.

Early life

Raymond Jack Lininger was born on June 27, 1927, in Van Wert, Ohio.[1] He attended Van Wert High School in Van Wert.[1]

College career

Lininger played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes of Ohio State University. He was a starting center on offense and a starting linebacker on defense.[2] He was a letterman in 1945.[3] Lininger missed the 1946 season due to service in the Army Corps of Engineers.[3] He was then a three-year letterman at Ohio State from 1947 to 1949.[1][3] As a senior in 1949, Lininger earned Associated Press (AP) third-team All-American and AP first-team All-Big Nine honors.[4][5] He was inducted into the Ohio State athletics hall of fame in 2003.[3]

Professional career

Lininger was selected by the Detroit Lions in the 21st round, with the 202nd overall pick, of the 1949 NFL draft.[6] He signed with the Lions on May 9, 1950.[7] He started all 12 games during his rookie year in 1950 and recorded three interceptions.[6] Lininger appeared in all 12 games, starting three, during the 1951 season.[6] He became a free agent after the season.[7]

Personal life

Lininger served in the United States Army.[1] He died on August 30, 2002, in Kennesaw, Georgia.[6]

References

1. "JAC LININGER". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
2. "Lininger played a major role in first Rose Bowl win". Northwest Columbus News. September 3, 2003. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
3. "Jack Lininger". Ohio State University. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
4. "Irish Lead In A.P. All-Star Honors". The Southeast Missourian (AP story). December 1, 1949.
5. "Karras Makes All Big 9 Grid Team". Daily Illini. November 23, 1949.
6. "Jack Lininger". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved February 7, 2025.
7. "Jac Lininger NFL Transactions". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved February 7, 2025.