Pete Retzlaff Biography

Palmer Edward Pete Retzlaff, born on August 21, 1931, and passing away on April 10, 2020, was a professional American football player and executive known as 'Pistol Pete' and 'the Baron' for the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL. He played as a flanker and tight end for a total of 11 seasons in the National Football League. In 1951, as a fullback, he rushed for 1,016 yards, a record at his school, and in 1952 he earned recognition as a Little All-American. In 1953, he won first place in shot put, discus, and high jump at the NCC Championships and placed fourth in javelin. Retzlaff was selected in the 1953 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions but did not make the team's roster. In 1958, Norm Van Brocklin, who had recently joined the Eagles from the Los Angeles Rams, recommended that Retzlaff play split end based on his pattern-running ability. He served as a co-captain on the 1960 Eagles team that captured the NFL championship title.