Robert Wahl
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| Date of birth | July 20, 1927 |
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| Career information | |
| Position(s) | T |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Weight | 225 lb (102 kg) |
| College | University of Michigan |
Robert Allen "Al" Wahl (born 20 July 1927), nicknamed "Brick" Wahl, is a former football player who was a two-time All-American for the University of Michigan Wolverines in 1949 and 1950. Wahl is also a former U.S. Army heavyweight boxing champion (European theater) who went on to become the president of a Fortune 500 company, Valmont Industries.
Wahl went to high school in Oak Park, Illinois and played for the Wolverines as a freshman in 1945. He played as a 17-year-old under wartime rules but injuries handicapped him. One news report noted: "A 17-year-old lad with a great high school reputation he was touted as a regular starter before the '45 season opened. But an ankle injury sidelined him and it also shook his confidence."
Wahl missed the 1946 and 1947 seasons due to service in the U.S. Army in Germany. While serving in the Army, Wahl became the Army's heavyweight boxing champion in occupied Germany with 14 knockouts in 17 bouts. Wahl said he took up boxing to keep in shape and found that boxing "not only developed him physically, but it gave him the quickness with his hands and taught him footwork."
As a sophomore, Wahl played for the undefeated 1948 Michigan Wolverines team that won the National Championship. In Bennie Oosterbaan's first year as head coach, the Wolverines outscored their opponents, 252-44.
In 1949, Michigan had two All-Americans at tackle, with Wahl being named All-American at right tackle and teammate Alvin Wistert getting the nod at left tackle. With Wahl and Wistert leading the way, the 1949 Wolverines went 6-2-1, finished in a tie for the Big Ten Conference football championship, and were ranked #2 in the final Associated Press poll.
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