Dale Memmelaar


Dale Edward Memmelaar was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League for the Chicago Cardinals/St. Louis Cardinals, Dallas Cowboys, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Colts. He played college football at the University of Wyoming.

Early years

Memmelaar attended Goshen Central High School in Goshen, New York. He also practiced baseball, basketball and track.
He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Wyoming, where he was a three-year starter at offensive tackle. In 1956, he contributed to the team finishing with a 10-0 record.
As a senior he was named team captain, contributing to the Skyline Conference Championship and the 14-6 defeat of Hardin–Simmons University in the Sun Bowl. He also was a pro-baseball prospect as a pitcher.

Professional career

Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals

Memmelaar was selected in the twenty-first round of the 1959 NFL Draft by the Chicago Cardinals. He was a backup player at offensive tackle and offensive guard. In 1961, his military service caused him to miss 4 games.
In August 1962, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a draft choice. He was returned to the Cardinals after two weeks and was promptly waived.

Dallas Cowboys

In September 1962, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys and he became a starter at right guard for two years. He also served as the team's barber. He was released on August 17, 1964.

Cleveland Browns

On August 20, 1964, he was signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Browns. He was a reserve pulling guard for running back Jim Brown. He helped win the NFL Championship 27-0 against the Baltimore Colts. The next year, the Browns again reached the NFL Championship game, but lost 12-23 against the Green Bay Packers.

Atlanta Falcons

Memmelaar was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1966 NFL expansion draft. On June 21, 1966, he was traded to the Baltimore Colts in exchange for a sixth round draft choice.

Baltimore Colts

In 1966, he was acquired to provide depth in case Alex Sandusky retired. Memmelaar was a reserve player with the Baltimore Colts for two years. In 1967, he was on the Colts' reserve squad while recuperating from a knee injury, until being activated on December 8, to replace the retired Jim Parker.

Personal life

After retiring from football, Memmelaar worked as an assistant football coach and teacher at Newburgh Free Academy and then as a teacher, head football coach, assistant principal and athletic director at Washingtonville High School. Memmelaar was a born again Christian. He went to Christian Faith Fellowship Church in Middletown, NY. He died on March 27, 2020.