Joseph Ponsetto
American football player (1926–2004) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joseph Ponsetto (March 29, 1926 – November 24, 2004) was an American football player who was the starting quarterback for the University of Michigan Wolverines football teams of 1944 and 1945.
Born: | (1926-03-26)March 26, 1926 |
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Died: | November 24, 2004(2004-11-24) (aged 78) Kent County, Michigan, U.S. |
Career information | |
Position(s) | Quarterback |
College | Michigan |
Career highlights and awards | |
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Playing under head coach Fritz Crisler, Ponsetto led the 1944 team to an 8–2 record and a #8 ranking in the final AP Poll.[1] Ponsetto was selected as an All-Big Ten quarterback in 1944 and was elected captain of the 1945 team.[1] He also handled place-kicking responsibilities for the Wolverines, converting four extra points against Minnesota,[2] four more against Purdue,[3] and five against Penn in 1944.[4]
Ponsetto led the 1945 team to a 7–3 record and a #6 ranking in the final AP Poll.[5]
After the 1945 season, Ponsetto underwent surgery on his knee.[6] In September 1946, doctors advised that Ponsetto's knee may not withstand the stress of playing football.[7]
After graduating from Michigan, Ponsetto became a dentist in the Grand Rapids, Michigan area.[8] He married Mary Blynn Manley and had five children.