- Joined
- Aug 13, 2005
- Messages
- 19,049
- Reaction score
- 12,398
Today in Patriots History
May 13 Birthdays
May 13 Birthdays
Happy posthumous birthday to Bill Rademacher, who would have been 79 today
Born May 13, 1942 in Menomonie, Michigan
Patriot WR, 1969-1970; uniform #33
Signed as a veteran free agent on September 10, 1969
In 1964 Bill Rademacher was undrafted out of Northern Michigan, and signed with the Jets. In his first four seasons he spent as much time on the taxi squad as on the active roster. Rademacher made four starts as a rookie due to injuries, but appeared in only 17 games during that span - on special teams, wide receiver, and as a defensive back.
The versatility paid off with an increased role and more playing time in 1968, as Bill appeared in every game that season for the Jets one and only championship. He was waived just a few days prior to the start of the 1969 season, and immediately signed by the Patriots. Rademacher played in 27 games with five starts for the Boston Patriots, with 21 receptions for 268 yards, 12.8 yards per catch and three touchdowns. He suffered a fractured arm early in training camp in 1971 and was waived later that season, ending his NFL career. Rademacher later became assistant coach and then head coach at his alma mater, Northern Michigan. He was also a linebackers coach at Michigan State from 1983 to 1991. Bill Rademacher passed away on April 2, 2018 at the age of 75.
NMU Sports Hall of Famer Bill Rademacher Passes Away
MARQUETTE, Mich. – Northern Michigan University Sports Hall of Famer and former Head Coach, Bill Rademacher, has passed away at the age of 75.
www.nmuwildcats.com
A four-time letter-winner with the Wildcats from 1960-1963, Rademacher was an A.P. All America Honorable Mention selection in 1963. A wide receiver and defensive end for NMU, he went on to play professionally for seven years with the New York Jets and Boston Patriots. He was a member of the Jets team that won Super III.
After his playing career, he coached for two years at Xavier University before returning to NMU as an assistant coach in 1974. In his second season with the team, the Wildcats went 13-1 on their way to win the 1975 Division II National Championship.
Rademacher was named the Head Coach in 1978 and posted a 37-16 record in his five seasons behind his high-powered passing attack. He was named the 1980 Mid Continent Conference Coach of the Year. He left NMU in 1983 after accepting a coaching position at Michigan State University.
In 1981, Rademacher was inducted into the Northern Michigan University Sports Hall of Fame and was later enshrined into the Upper Peninsula Sports Hall of Fame in 1983.
Former Patriots WR Bill Rademacher dies at 75
After five scoreless years with the Jets, Bill Rademacher scored all of his career points in two years with the Patriots
www.newscentermaine.com
Overall, Rademacher played in 58 pro games and had 24 catches for 282 yards and three touchdowns, all of his scores coming with the Patriots.
After five scoreless years with the Jets, Bill Rademacher scored all of his career points in two years with the Patriots
Early Jets Wideout Bill Rademacher Dies
Northern Michigan Star Played 5 Seasons for Green & White, His Last Game Coming in Super Bowl III
www.newyorkjets.com
"One of Weeb Ewbank's favorite quotes was 'the more things you can do helps you get a spot on the team,' " recalled long-time Jets public relations director Frank Ramos. " 'Rad,' like John Dockery, was one of those good athletes who could help out on offense and defense in a pinch and also proved to be a very good special teams player."
The Jets waived Rademacher in the '69 preseason and he moved on to Boston for his final two pro seasons. He had the best pro receiving game of his career as a Patriot in a loss to the Jets in '69 with six catches for 78 yards and his first pro touchdown.