| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Position | Guard |
| Personal information | |
| Born | January 26, 1920 Canton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | January 31, 2000 (age 80) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 207 lb (94 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Canton (OH) McKinley |
| College | Pittsburgh |
| Career history | |
| |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
Ralph Donald FifeSr.(January 26, 1920 - January 31, 2000) was an Americanfootball player and coach.
Fife was born in 1920 inCanton, Ohio.[1] He played football at Canton McKinley High School where he blocked forMarion Motley and was selected as an all-state player.[2]
He playedcollege football for thePittsburgh Panthers football team. He played guard on offense and linebacker on defense.[2] In December 1941, he was selected by theAssociated Press as a first-team guard on the1941 All-America college football team.[3]
He signed with theChicago Cardinals of theNational Football League (NFL) in October 1942.[4] He appeared in four games, three as a starter, for the Cardinals at the guard position during the 1943 season.[1] His football career was interrupted by service in the Navy duringWorld War II. After the war, he returned to the Cardinals for one start during the 1945 season. In 1946, he was traded to thePittsburgh Steelers, appearing in 10 games, nine as a starter.[1][5] He appeared in a total of 15 NFL games.[1]
In December 1946, Fife was named head coach of the Turtle Creek Union High School football team.[6] He remained at Turtle Creek until 1950, when he accepted a job as line coach atNebraska.[7] He became head football coach at Mount Lebanon High School in 1954.[8] In 1967, after coaching the 1966 Mount Lebanon team to an undefeated season and state championship, he became head football coach and director of physical education at Chartiers Valley High School.[9] He retired from coaching in 1978.[2]
He died in 2000.[1]