Hall of Fame
Position: Center
Years: 1946-1949
Place of Birth: Ogilvie, MN
Date of Birth: Jun 08, 1928
Place of Death: St. Paul, MN
Date of Death: Dec 25, 1996
Jersey Number: 15
Height: 6-2
Weight: 237
High School: Minneapolis, MN (Edison HS)
A 6-2, 237-pounder during his playing days at Minnesota, Clayton Tonnemaker captured unanimous All-America honors as a senior in 1949 when he captained Bernie Bierman's powerhouse Golden Gophers. He sparked the Gophers to a 25-11 record during his four years of varsity action. The native of Ogilvie, Minnesota was co-captain of the College All-Star squad which defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 17-7. He was co-captain (with Leon Hart) of the East team in the 1949 Shrine East-West Game. The East beat the West 28-6. Tonnemaker scored a touchdown, running 70 yards with an intercepted pass. Tonnemaker served 30 months with the Army in the Korean War. He was a first lieutenant when discharged. He played pro with the Green Bay Packers 1950, 1953, and 1954. His top salary was $8,500, and he left football to start a business career. He joined Cargill Corp., a grain company, and became vice-president. In 1977 he became president of the Coal Creek Mining Co. in Billings, Montana. When he retired from that post, he settled in River Falls, Wisconsin. In 1949 the Minneapolis Star named him as Minnesota's greatest center in football history through that time. Tonnemaker was born June 8, 1928; he died Dec. 25, 1996.
