Vander Kelen played at the collegiate level at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is best known for his MVP performance in the 1963 Rose Bowl, where he broke several Rose Bowl records, some of which still stand. In that game, he orchestrated a legendary fourth quarter comeback attempt against the USC Trojans in the first #1 (USC) versus #2 (Wisconsin) bowl game in college football history.
In August 1963, he was named the starter in the Chicago College All-Star Game (a game which pitted college all-stars selected from the graduating class from the previous season against the NFL champion) over a group of quarterbacks which included 1962 Heisman Trophy winner Terry Baker. The college all-stars defeated the Green Bay Packers 20-17, with a 74-yard touchdown completion to his college teammate, Pat Richter, providing the winning touchdown. Vander Kelen was named the game MVP.[3] The 1963 game would prove to be the last time the college all-stars defeated the NFL champion in this series.
NFL career
He was not drafted in the 1963 NFL Draft and drafted in the 21st round of the 1963 AFL Draft by the New York Jets. He entered into a contract with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent. He was the backup to Fran Tarkenton from 1963 to 1966[3] and competed for the starting position after Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants in 1967. Vander Kelen was then traded to the Atlanta Falcons, but never played a regular season game. Vander Kelen also saw playing time in the CFL with the 1968 Calgary Stampeders.
Death
He died at the age of 76 on August 14, 2016.[4][5][6]
References
^"Ron Vander Kelen NFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2016-08-16.
^. www.tournamentofroses.com. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved 2016-08-16.
^ abJohn Underwood (September 9, 2010). . Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on November 27, 2012. Retrieved July 4, 2011.
^Potrykus, Jeff (August 14, 2016). "Ron Vander Kelen dies at age 76". Journal Sentinel. Retrieved 2016-08-16.
^Galloway, Jason (August 16, 2016). "Badgers football: Former UW quarterback Ron Vander Kelen dies at 76". Wisconsin State Journal. Retrieved 2016-08-16.
^Peters, Craig (August 16, 2016). "Vikings Send Condolences to Family of Ron Vander Kelen". Minnesota Vikings. Retrieved 2016-08-17.
UW-Madison Archives 1963 Rose Bowl photostream at Flickr
January 07, 2023
vander, kelen, ronald, vander, kelen, november, 1939, august, 2016, american, football, quarterback, played, collegiate, level, university, wisconsin, madison, best, known, performance, 1963, rose, bowl, where, broke, several, rose, bowl, records, some, which,. Ronald Vander Kelen November 6 1939 August 14 2016 was an American football quarterback 1 He played at the collegiate level at the University of Wisconsin Madison and is best known for his MVP performance in the 1963 Rose Bowl where he broke several Rose Bowl records some of which still stand In that game he orchestrated a legendary fourth quarter comeback attempt against the USC Trojans in the first 1 USC versus 2 Wisconsin bowl game in college football history Vander Kelen was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1991 2 Ron Vander KelenVander Kelen 15 white in the 1963 Rose BowlNo 11 15Position QuarterbackPersonal informationBorn 1939 11 06 November 6 1939Preble WisconsinDied August 14 2016 2016 08 14 aged 76 Edina MinnesotaCareer informationHigh school PrebleCollege WisconsinAFL Draft 1963 Round 21 Pick 163Undrafted 1963Career historyMinnesota Vikings 1963 1967 Career highlights and awardsBig Ten Conference MVP 1962 1963 Rose Bowl MVP Chicago College All Star Game MVP 1963 Rose Bowl Hall of Fame 1991 Career NFL statisticsTDINT 6 11Yards 1375Passer rating 50 0Player stats at PFR Contents 1 Early life 2 College career 3 NFL career 4 Death 5 References 6 External linksEarly life EditVander Kelen was born on November 6 1939 in Preble Wisconsin now part of Green Bay He graduated from Preble High School in 1958 College career EditVander Kelen played at the collegiate level at the University of Wisconsin Madison and is best known for his MVP performance in the 1963 Rose Bowl where he broke several Rose Bowl records some of which still stand In that game he orchestrated a legendary fourth quarter comeback attempt against the USC Trojans in the first 1 USC versus 2 Wisconsin bowl game in college football history In August 1963 he was named the starter in the Chicago College All Star Game a game which pitted college all stars selected from the graduating class from the previous season against the NFL champion over a group of quarterbacks which included 1962 Heisman Trophy winner Terry Baker The college all stars defeated the Green Bay Packers 20 17 with a 74 yard touchdown completion to his college teammate Pat Richter providing the winning touchdown Vander Kelen was named the game MVP 3 The 1963 game would prove to be the last time the college all stars defeated the NFL champion in this series NFL career EditHe was not drafted in the 1963 NFL Draft and drafted in the 21st round of the 1963 AFL Draft by the New York Jets He entered into a contract with the NFL s Minnesota Vikings as an undrafted free agent He was the backup to Fran Tarkenton from 1963 to 1966 3 and competed for the starting position after Tarkenton was traded to the New York Giants in 1967 Vander Kelen was then traded to the Atlanta Falcons but never played a regular season game Vander Kelen also saw playing time in the CFL with the 1968 Calgary Stampeders Death EditHe died at the age of 76 on August 14 2016 4 5 6 References Edit Ron Vander Kelen NFL Football Statistics Pro Football Reference com Retrieved 2016 08 16 History Rose Bowl Hall of Fame Inductees www tournamentofroses com Archived from the original on October 26 2011 Retrieved 2016 08 16 a b John Underwood September 9 2010 Vander Kelen Sports Illustrated Archived from the original on November 27 2012 Retrieved July 4 2011 Potrykus Jeff August 14 2016 Ron Vander Kelen dies at age 76 Journal Sentinel Retrieved 2016 08 16 Galloway Jason August 16 2016 Badgers football Former UW quarterback Ron Vander Kelen dies at 76 Wisconsin State Journal Retrieved 2016 08 16 Peters Craig August 16 2016 Vikings Send Condolences to Family of Ron Vander Kelen Minnesota Vikings Retrieved 2016 08 17 External links EditRon Vander Kelen at Pro Football Reference com Ron Vander Kelen at IMDb UW Madison Archives 1963 Rose Bowl photostream at Flickr Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ron Vander Kelen amp oldid 1097842168, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
