1977 Profile: Ray Wietecha

Offensive Line Coach
"The game's No. 1 offensive center, Ray was an All-Pro unanimous choice. He played four positions as a rookie in '53 after coming out of Northwestern U.
Ray lives in East Chicago, Indiana."

-Pro Football Handbook 1959

"Ray Wietecha could commiserate with Jim Ringo about toiling in obscurity if it were a matter of misery. The New York Giants' ultra-fine center only lately in his seven-year pro career has been granted a piece of the spotlight.
New York never thinks in terms of having to play two centers, a natural thought in any camp. Ray's ruggedness, willingness and versatility have prompted the Giants to dismiss thoughts about backup help there. Wietecha (29, 6-1, 225) comes from good football country, East Chicago, Indiana, and from a tough football conference, the Big Ten, where he played for Northwestern. The former Wildcat brought such versatility to the Giants that in his rookie season he performed variously as center, linebacker, defensive halfback, and end.
Ray's versatility extended into another field. He had also starred in baseball at Northwestern and was signed as a bonus outfielder in the Washington Senators chain before switching to football. Before the Giants finally got him, he saw service in the Marine Corps as a commissioned officer.
There was a moment in a New York-Cleveland game late last fall when the spotlight did shine on Ray Wietecha, not because he was in open field with his jersey number exposed, but because his own tremendous drive showed through.
A Giant back had carried the ball deep into Brown territory in the tight game being played at fever pitch on a miserably cold day. He was tackled and fumbled. The ball bounded crazily forward into the midst of no fewer than five Browns.
Down on the ground, involved in a blocking attempt with two of those Browns, was Wietecha, entangled between the pair. The ball cartwheeled tantalizingly near them. The Brown on one side of Wietecha was only an arm's length away from the ball, blocking out Ray; in fact, he had Ray pinned to the ground.
Wietecha didn't figure to have a chance, but in a flash of sheer determination he raised himself, despite being partially anchored, and simply reached around the body of the Brown, snatched the ball, drew it past his opponent to his chest and held on incontestably. It was the supreme effort that kept the Giant rally alive, enabling them to go on to victory over Cleveland and force the division playoff that eventually sent them into the championship game with Baltimore.
The effort also greatly increased public recognition of the corps offensive centers- the Jim Ringos, the Ray Wietechas, the Larry Stricklands (Chicago Bears) and the Jim Schraders (Washington Redskins)- who have to make reputations the hard way."

Murray Olderman, Sports All-Stars 1959 Pro Football

"The fellow who is most responsible for the protection of Charlie Conerly is Ray Wietecha. When it comes to prying open an enemy line or tossing downfield blocks, Ray is tops."

-1959 Topps No. 99

1960
Although recognized as an All-Pro Center every year since 1956, Ray distinguished himself late in the 1958 season when his extraordinary effort and gritty determination allowed him to recover a Giant fumble deep in Brown territory. This kept a New York rally alive, thus allowing the Giants to win the game that would put them into a division playoff against the Browns and a chance at the NFL championship game.
An All-Big Ten selection at Northwestern, Ray was a bonus outfielder in the Washington Senators chain and a Marine Corps officer before joining the Giants. He has started every game since 1954.

"One reason why the New York Giants were able to punt 49 times last season without being blocked is the presence of Northwestern's Ray Wietecha in the center position. When it comes to snapping the ball back 14 yards to the kicker with the needed speed and accuracy that will give him as much time as possible to get off the punt, Wietecha has no equal. Standing six-foot-one and weighing 225 pounds, Wietecha is virtually the immovable object to charging linemen.
On offensive power plays up the middle, the Giant center packs the speed and wallop of an 'up front fullback' as he paves the way for ripping gains. Wietecha starts his eighth season with the New Yorkers, and expectations are that he will be chosen all-star center once again."

-Who's Who in Pro Football (1961 Edition)

"Ray flips the ball to Charlie Conerly, then barrels forward to help take out the opposition. He's fast as lightning and tough as nails."

-1961 Topps No. 89

1962
A Pro Bowl selection as recently as 1960, Ray was last year named All-Conference by the Sporting News. Considered by many to be the best in the league at blocking the middle linebacker out of a play, he's just as adept at giving protection on passing plays.
All-Big Ten in college, Ray saw action as a Giant rookie at end, linebacker and defensive back before settling in at center, where he has started every game since 1954.

"The highly respected aide returns for his fourth season as offensive line coach and is the only holdover from the previous staff. A No. 12 'future pick' of the Giants in 1950 out of Northwestern, Ray joined the Giants in 1953 after a season of minor league baseball in the Washington Senators' farm system and two years in the Marines as a Captain.
He was a center, linebacker and even defensive back in his rookie year, and then went on to become a star for 10 seasons, winning All-NFL and Pro Bowl honors five times, appearing with five Eastern Division title winners and the NFL championship team of 1956.
Wietecha joined the Los Angeles Rams as an assistant coach in 1963, then moved on to the Green Bay Packers under Vince Lombardi from 1965 through 1970 where he was offensive line and running game coach with the championship Packers of that era. He was a Giant scout in 1971, then became offensive line coach in 1972.
Ray was born in East Chicago, Indiana and starred at Roosevelt High School in that city. At Northwestern, he was an All-Big 10 choice at center, winning three letters in both football and baseball."

-1976 New York Giants Media Guide

"In the middle 1950s the two most honored centers in professional football were Jim Ringo of Green Bay and Ray Wietecha of the New York Giants. If Wietecha didn't make the All-Pro team, it was because Ringo did and vice versa. It came as no surprise, therefore, that when Jim Ringo went looking for a successor as offensive line coach, he chose Ray Wietecha.
The Giants' starting center for 10 seasons, Ray won All-NFL honors in 1958 and was a member of the Pro Bowl squad in 1955, 1958, 1960 and 1962. He played on five Eastern Conference title winners and the 1956 NFL Championship team, 47-7 winners over the Chicago Bears. He was also involved in the famous 'sudden death' Championship game between the Giants and the Colts at Yankee Stadium in 1958.
A 'future' pick of the Giants in the 12th round of the 1950 college draft, Ray had a distinguished college career at Northwestern, winning All-Big 10 honors. The start of his NFL career was delayed by a season of minor league baseball in the Washington Senators system and two years in the Marine Corps.
Pro coaching beckoned at the end of his playing days and Wietecha accepted his first job with the Rams. After two years in LA (1963-64) he moved to Green Bay where, under the legendary Vince Lombardi, he was charged with the offensive line and the Packer running game. In five seasons (1965-70) Green Bay teams Wietecha was associated with won a total of 51 games, three NFL Championships and two Super Bowl crowns.
He rejoined the Giants as a scout in 1971 and became the offensive coach a year later. He was with the New York team through the 1976 season."

-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-Radio-TV Yearbook