Wally Hilgenberg

Infobox NFL player


Name=Wally Hilgenberg
DateOfBirth=September 19, 1942
Birthplace=Marshalltown, Iowa
DateOfDeath=death date and age|2008|9|23|1942|9|19
Deathplace=Lakeville, Minnesota
Position=Linebacker
College=Iowa
DraftedYear=1964
DraftedRound=4 / Pick 48
DatabaseFootball=HILGEWAL01
PFR=
years=1964-1967
1968-1979
teams=Detroit Lions
Minnesota Vikings
ProBowls=
HOF=

Walter Hilgenberg (September 19, 1942 - September 23, 2008) is a former professional American football player.

He attended the University of Iowa, where he starred on both sides of the line of scrimmage, as a linebacker and as a guard. He played 16 seasons in the National Football League, with the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.

In 1964, he was drafted in the fourth round by the Lions. In 1968, he was traded from the Lions to the Pittsburgh Steelers, but was waived before ever playing a game in Pittsburgh. After being waived by the Steelers, Hilgenberg was picked up off waivers by the Vikings, for whom he played until he retired after the 1979 season. During that time, he was one of the few players to play in all four of the Vikings Super Bowl appearances (Super Bowl IV, Super Bowl VIII, Super Bowl IX, Super Bowl XI).

Hilgenberg's daughter Kristi Hilgenberg was Miss Minnesota Teen USA 1998.

Hilgenberg died on September 23, 2008, after battling for several years with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's disease. [ [http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/29627104.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiU9PmP:QiUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU Startribune] ]

References