Rigney L. "Riggie" Dwyer (April 18, 1896 – August 2, 1944) was a professional football player who was an original member of the Green Bay Packers. He was the Packers star end in 1919 and 1920, prior to the team's move into the National Football League (NFL). In 1920 he suffered the loss of his right leg and right arm while working in the railroad yards. Doctors claimed he had an even chance for recovery despite his injuries.
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| Born: | April 18, 1896 Ontonagon, Michigan, U.S. | ||||
| Died: | August 2, 1944 (aged 48) Green Bay, Wisconsin, U.S. | ||||
| Position: | End | ||||
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Prior to his time with the Packers, Dwyer was prominently known in Wisconsin state football circles. From 1913 to 1917 he played end for the Green Bay West High School. During World War I he played football in France. After the war he started with the Packers, playing two years with the team. At the end of the Packers 1920 season, the team sponsored a benefit game between two local teams for Dwyer. The game attracted 5,000 spectators and raised $4,053.02 that went straight to Dwyer. Riggie was also the brother of fellow Packer Dutch Dwyer. He died in 1944.[1]
References
- Birth of a Team and a Legend Archived 2010-06-17 at the Wayback Machine
- 1919-1920 Green Bay Packers
- Maxymuk, John (2003). Packers by the Numbers: Jersey Numbers and the Players Who Wore Them. Big Earth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-879483-90-3.
- Gullickson, Denis J. (2004). Before They Were the Packers: Green Bay's Town Team Days. Big Earth Publishing. ISBN 978-1-931599-44-3.