Ralph Wenzel was a lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1966 to 1970 and for the San Diego Chargers in 1972 and 1973. After his playing days, he coached at Little Wound High School in Kyle, South Dakota; North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina; and Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. Like many other former NFL players, he
suffered from Alzheimer's-type dementia at an early age, forcing him to live in an assisted living facility. His neurologist attributed his condition to the concussions and other brain trauma he experienced as a player. Ralph
passed away on June 18, 2012. He was 69.
A few former high school players who played under Ralph created this website to pay tribute to him and to collect information about the problems facing many former football players.
Ralph Wenzel was a lineman for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1966 to 1970 and for the San Diego Chargers in 1972 and 1973. After his playing days, he coached at Little Wound High School in Kyle, South Dakota; North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina; and Sidwell Friends School in Washington, D.C. Like many other former NFL players, he suffered from Alzheimer's-type dementia at an early age, forcing him to live in an assisted living facility. His neurologist attributed his condition to the concussions and other brain trauma he experienced as a player. Ralph passed away on June 18, 2012. He was 69.