Ron Goovert

Ron Goovert
No. 57
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1944-02-15) February 15, 1944 (age 80)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
College:Michigan State
Undrafted:1966
Career history
As a player:
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
As a coach:
  • Flint Sabres (1973, 1975)
    Head coach
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:14
Stats at Pro Football Reference Edit this at Wikidata

Ronald Edward Goovert (born February 15, 1944) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL) in 1967. He played college football for the Michigan State Spartans. He also played in the Continental Football League for the Charleston Rockets in 1966, and in the Midwest Football League for the Lansing All Stars and Flint Sabres from 1969 to 1972 and 1974. He was the head coach of the Sabres for two seasons.

Professional career

Goovert first signed with the Houston Oilers of the American Football League in July 1966 after going undrafted in both the 1966 NFL draft and 1966 AFL Draft.[1] He was then released before the start of the regular season on August 25.[2] He joined the Charleston Rockets of the Continental Football League for the 1966 season.[3]

Goovert next signed with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League on April 4, 1967.[4] He played in 14 games for the Lions in 1967, including three starts.[5] He was released before the start of the 1968 season on September 4, 1968.[6]

Goovert later signed with the Lansing All Stars of the Midwest Football League (MFL) in September 1969.[7] He stayed on with the team through the 1970 season.[8] He spent training camp in 1971 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League,[9] but returned to the All Stars for the 1971 season.[10] He ultimately retired from his playing career during the 1972 season while with Lansing.[11]

Goovert became the head coach for the Flint Sabres of the MFL for the 1973 season.[12] The Sabres went 7–2–1 under Goovert and finished third in the league.[13] He stepped down as head coach in 1974 and joined the Sabres as a player for the season.[14] He became the head coach again for the 1975 season.[15] The Sabres went 9–1 in 1975,[13] and won the MFL championship game.[16]

References

  1. ^ "Oiler Coach Picks Standouts From Rookies". Daily World. July 15, 1966. Retrieved April 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Ford Undergoes Surgery". Tampa Bay Times. August 26, 1966. Retrieved April 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Fretwell, Bob (October 2, 1966). "CFL Test: Rockets and Beavers Are Fired Up For Today's Clash at Laidley Field". Sunday Gazette Mail. Retrieved April 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Pride of Lions". Simpson's Leader-Times. April 4, 1967. Retrieved April 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Ron Goovert Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved April 17, 2021.
  6. ^ "Lions Obtain Gambrell". Lansing State Journal. September 4, 1968. Retrieved April 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ Hill, John (September 19, 1969). "No 'Wait Until 1970' For Lansing 'Stars". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved April 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Hill, John (July 31, 1970). "Defense Stingiest". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved April 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ Coleman, Jim (June 25, 1971). "Untitled". Calgary Herald. Retrieved April 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Goovert, Gavel, Tefft Return to All Star Camp". Lansing State Journal. July 21, 1971. Retrieved April 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Senyczko, Ed (September 23, 1972). "All Stars Attempt 'Salvage' Operation". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved April 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ Senyczko, Ed (July 15, 1973). "Playing Time Key to Sports". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved April 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ a b Gill, Bob; Maher, Tod; Brainerd, Steve (2010). Outsiders II: Minor League and Independent Football 1951–1985. St. Johann Press. pp. 113–116. ISBN 9781878282651.
  14. ^ Senyczko, Ed (July 20, 1974). "Sabres Have Look of a Real Powerhouse". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved April 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Capitals in Key Game Saturday". Lansing State Journal. August 15, 1975. Retrieved April 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ "MFL title game termed a rousing success". Lansing State Journal. November 4, 1975. Retrieved April 17, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.