William John Reichardt (June 24, 1930 – June 1, 2004) was a fullback and

placekicker In gridiron football, the placekicker (PK), or simply kicker (K), is the player responsible for attempts at scoring Field goal (football), field goals and extra points. In most cases, the placekicker also serves as the team's kickoff specialist ...

in the

National Football League The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...

(NFL) who played for the

Green Bay Packers The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC North, North division. They ar ...

. Reichardt played collegiate ball for the

University of Iowa The University of Iowa (U of I, UIowa, or Iowa) is a public university, public research university in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. Founded in 1847, it is the oldest and largest university in the state. The University of Iowa is organized int ...

before being drafted by Green Bay Packers in the 7th round of the

1952 NFL draft The 1952 NFL draft was held on January 17, 1952, at Hotel Statler in New York. Selections made by New York Yanks were assigned to the new Dallas Texans. This was the sixth year that the first overall pick was a bonus pick determined by lottery ...

. He played professionally for one season, in 1952. Reichardt subsequently opened a men's clothing store in Des Moines, Ia., and became a prominent businessman and community leader. An engaging speaker with homespun charm, Reichardt's business motto was that no sale was ever final and that if there was ever a problem with one of his suits, he would make sure to make things right. He died of cancer on June 1, 2004. Born to Herb Reichardt on June 24, 1930, William "Bill" Reichardt attended Iowa City public schools until his graduation in 1948. In recognition for his high school football exploits, Reichardt received a place on the All-State football team in 1946 and 1947. Continuing to play football, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Iowa in 1952. After graduation, Reichardt spent one season with the Green Bay Packers and then joined the Air Force, where he served as a First Lieutenant for two years during the Korean War. He founded Reichardt's Inc.--a chain of men's clothing stores—and has been very active in community affairs. In addition, Reichardt started the Little All-American Football League in Des Moines and coached for 30 years. In 1964 Reichardt was elected to the Iowa State Legislature where he served Polk County for two years in the Iowa House of Representatives; in 1966 won election to the Iowa State Senate, where he served four years. During his tenure in state government Reichardt sponsored the bill to resume an annual Iowa – Iowa State football game. In 1994, Reichardt was a Democratic candidate for governor during the primary elections and in 1999 he circulated a petition to become a mayoral candidate for the City of Des Moines, but did not pursue the position.

Legacy

Camerado Publishing released a novel entitled ''The Best Seller'', written by Bill's son, Doug Reichardt and granddaughter, Katie Bishop. The novel chronicles Reichardt's early business career and the relationship principles which led to his notoriety in the community.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Reichardt, Bill 1930 births 2004 deaths Players of American football from Iowa City, Iowa American football fullbacks American football placekickers Iowa Hawkeyes football players Green Bay Packers players American athlete-politicians Candidates in the 1994 United States elections Democratic Party members of the Iowa House of Representatives Democratic Party Iowa state senators Deaths from cancer in Iowa Iowa City High School alumni 20th-century members of the Iowa General Assembly