Tom Maentz
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| Date of birth | c. 1934 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Holland, Michigan |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | End |
| College | Michigan |
| NFL draft | 1957 / Round: 2/ Pick 22 |
Tom Maentz (born c. 1934) is a former American football player who played end for the University of Michigan Wolverines from 1954-1956. Maentz played on offense and defense and also served as the punter for the Michigan football team. Maentz and Ron Kramer became known as Michigan's "touchdown twins" and were the first University of Michigan athletes to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. Maentz was a second-team All-American in 1955 and captain of the 1956 football team. In 1994, he was inducted into the University of Michigan Athletic Hall of Honor.
A native of Holland, Michigan, Maentz enrolled at Michigan at the same time as Michigan's legendary Hall of Fame end, Ron Kramer. Maentz and Kramer played together as ends on Michigan's freshman team in 1953 and were the starting ends for Michigan from 1954-1956. Though he played in Kramer's shadow, Maentz was also recognized as one of the best ends in the county. Kramer later recalled playing with Maentz on the freshman team, helping the varsity team prepare for the Ohio State game. Kramer noted, "Surprisingly, we started throwing the ball to Tom Maentz and me, and the backs couldn't cover us."
Maentz and Kramer, who became known as Michigan's "touchdown twins," were the first Michigan football players to appear on the cover of Sports Illustrated. In October 1955, Maentz was selected by the Associated Press as for the Lineman of the Week award after scoring two touchdowns in a 33-21 win over Iowa. Michigan Coach Bennie Oosterbaan said of the pair, "They are the two greatest ends in the country." After the Iowa game, Michigan halfback Tony Branoff said, "Tom played one of the greatest games. He's as good as Kramer and after he caught that touchdown pass Iowa's heads were down." In awarding Maentz Lineman of the Week honors, the Associated Press referred to him as "that other end" and noted:
"Little was heard of Maentz when the season started. He was overshadowed by big Ron Kramer, Michigan's other versatile end who himself snagged two passes for 79 yards and a touchdown ... It was Maentz who grabbed five passes for 169 yards and two touchdowns, including the one that gave Michigan its first lead over the Hawkeyes in the last three minutes of the game."
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