John Spencer Pingel

John Spencer Pingel

Michigan State Football Player (1936 – 1938)
Detroit Lions Player (1939)

John Pingel was born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. Pingel played football for the Michigan State Spartans and was a two-time first-team All-American (1937, 1938). He appeared in 28 games during his three seasons in which time the Spartans went 26 – 2 and appeared in their first Bowl Game (1938 Orange Bowl). He was a triple-threat player; running, passing and punting. He was the seventh overall selection in the 1939 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. He played one season with the Lions before retiring. John Pingel was inducted into the Michigan State Ring of Honor in 2010, the College Football Hall of Fame in 1968, the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993 an was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1973. He passed away on August 14, 1999 at 82 years of age.