Position: Halfback
Years: 1936-1938
Place of Birth: Mount Clemens, MI
Date of Birth: Nov 06, 1916
Place of Death: Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Date of Death: Aug 14, 1999
Jersey Number: 37
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175
High School: Mount Clemens, MI (Mount Clemens HS)
Pingel, complete to Nelson, Touchdown! Twice, the reality of John Pingel passing to Ole Nelson struck at the wilting hopes of Michigan fans as the Michigan State aerial combination turned defeat to victory in a 1937 meeting which is recorded as a classic in the long series between these two arch rivals. Pingel's pin-point passes brought the Spartans from behind for a 19-14 victory that sparked MSU to its first great season. The long-legged MSU halfback was on the way to directing his team to an 8-1-0 regular season record and the first Michigan State Bowl bid. Although Auburn would halt the Spartan express in the Orange Bowl that season, Pingel's disappointment would be eased by All-America recognition and selection as MSU's top scholar athlete. Pingel completed his amazing career as a triple-threat artist the following season, leaving incredible statistics for the MSU logs. He had not missed a game in three years, averaged 5.1 yards per carry, completed 54 per cent of his passes and led the nation in punting. Following graduation, Pingel joined the Detroit Lions and promptly led the National Football League in punting. He went on to earn the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart while advancing to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S.Army during World War II and later became president of a Detroit advertising agency. Michigan State had a 20-6-2 record in Pingel's three years. The Spartans beat Michigan two out of three games. Pingel received many honors in later life, including awards for service with the Boy Scouts of America and Detroit charities. He was a trustee for Michigan State University. He was also founder of the Detroit Chapter of the National Football Foundation. Pingel was born Nov. 6, 1916, in Mt. Clemens, Michigan. He died Aug. 14, 1999 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
