Edward J. "Ed" Withers (August 28, 1926 – April 17, 1975) was an American football player. He was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and moved to Madison, Wisconsin when he was a boy. He attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and played college football for the Wisconsin Badgers football team. He was one of the first African-Americans to be a regular starter for the Badgers, playing at the defensive back position.[1] He was selected by the Football Writers Association of America as a first-team defensive player on their 1950 College Football All-America Team.[2][3][4] Withers later worked as a teacher and coach at Roosevelt and North Division High Schools in Milwaukee and subsequently as an insurance salesman.[1] He died in Tomah, Wisconsin, in 1975 at age 48,[5] He was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin.[6]

Ed Withers

Withers from 1951 Badger
Personal information
Born:	August 28, 1926 Memphis, Tennessee
Died:	April 17, 1975 (age 48) Tomah, Wisconsin
Career information
High school:	Madison (WI) Central
College:	Wisconsin
Position:	Defensive back
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-American (1950)

References