# Ray Jennison

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**Raymond Ellis Jennison** ([né](/source/N%C3%A9) **Jenison**; January 19, 1910 – May 13, 1990) was an American professional [football](/source/American_football) [tackle](/source/Tackle_(American_football)). He played [college football](/source/College_football) for the [South Dakota State Jackrabbits](/source/South_Dakota_State_Jackrabbits_football). He later played one season in the [National Football League](/source/National_Football_League) (NFL) for the [Green Bay Packers](/source/Green_Bay_Packers) in 1931, appearing in two games as they won the NFL championship. He also played with several other professional teams in Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and Oklahoma. After his football career, he served as a [colonel](/source/Colonel) in the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army) and as a [military attaché](/source/Military_attach%C3%A9) in Europe.

## Early life

Jennison was born in [Onida, South Dakota](/source/Onida,_South_Dakota), on January 19, 1910.[1] His family spelled their last name "Jenison", but he said that "people were always misspelling it," and so he later legally changed his last name to "Jennison".[2] He attended [Avon High School](/source/Avon_High_School_(South_Dakota)) in South Dakota, and is their only alumnus to play in the [NFL](/source/National_Football_League).[3] After high school, Jennison enrolled at [South Dakota State College](/source/South_Dakota_State_University) (SDSU) in 1927.[4]

Jennison played for SDSU's [freshman](/source/Freshman) football team that year as a [lineman](/source/Lineman_(gridiron_football)).[5] He then made the [varsity team](/source/Varsity_team) in 1928 and started at [right tackle](/source/Right_tackle), helping South Dakota State finish as runner-up in the [North Central Conference](/source/North_Central_Conference) (NCC) while being named first-team All-NCC.[6] Described as one of the team's "huskiest linemen", he won All-NCC honors again in 1929.[7][8] The biggest player on the team at 198 pounds (90 kg), he was named [captain](/source/Captain_(sports)) as a [senior](/source/Senior_(education)) in 1930.[9] After the season, he was named second-team All-NCC by the [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press) (AP).[10]

Jennison was nicknamed "Bozo".[11] With South Dakota State, he served as [athletic director](/source/Athletic_director) and basketball coach for SDSU's school of agriculture.[12][13] He was a member of the [Reserve Officers' Training Corps](/source/Reserve_Officers'_Training_Corps) (ROTC) in college.[14] He also competed as a [boxer](/source/Boxing) and [wrestler](/source/Wrestling), winning competitions in those sports at ROTC events.[14] In June 1931, Jennison was commissioned as a [second lieutenant](/source/Second_lieutenant) in the U.S. military reserves.[15]

Jennison earned a [bachelor's degree](/source/Bachelor's_degree) and a [master's degree](/source/Master's_degree) from South Dakota State.[16]

## Professional career

After college, Jennison signed to play professional football for the [Green Bay Packers](/source/Green_Bay_Packers) of the NFL, and played with them early in the 1931 season.[17] Playing tackle, he appeared in two games for the Packers in 1931, both as a starter, as they went on to win the NFL championship.[4][11] However, he had left the team by October and joined the [Rock Island Greenbush](/source/Rock_Island_Greenbush), an independent team that played against the [Chicago Cardinals](/source/Chicago_Cardinals).[17][18] He returned to South Dakota in November and told the *[Sioux Valley News](/source/Sioux_Valley_News)* of his experience as a Packer, noting that the professional game "is faster and cleaner than college football, but ... the old college spirit [is] lacking in many crucial times."[11]

In 1932, Jennison returned to school and received a degree.[19] He also competed as a wrestler when not playing pro football.[20] In August 1933, he signed with the NFL's [Cincinnati Reds](/source/Cincinnati_Reds_(NFL)).[20] However, he was later released, without having appeared in any games.[4][21] In early September, he joined the [Indianapolis Indians](/source/Indianapolis_Indians_(American_football)) prior to their game against the NFL's [Portsmouth Spartans](/source/Portsmouth_Spartans).[19] Later that month, he left for the [St. Louis Gunners](/source/St._Louis_Gunners) to play [guard](/source/Guard_(gridiron_football)).[22] He missed some time for the Gunners that season due to a dislocated shoulder.[23] He began the 1934 season with the Gunners but was later purchased in October by the [Tulsa Oilers](/source/Tulsa_Oilers_(AFL)) of the [American Football League](/source/American_Football_League_(1934)) (AFL).[24] He appeared in four games for the Oilers, three as a starter, as they placed sixth in the league with a record of 1–5–1.[25]

## Later life and death

Jennison married Marie R. Jennison in 1935, but they later separated in 1936.[26] As of 1937, he was working as a salesman for a plow company.[26] He was later remarried to Mary Garnett Jennison of [Kentucky](/source/Kentucky), and the two had a son and a daughter.[1]

Jennison served in the [United States Army](/source/United_States_Army).[2] He served in [World War II](/source/World_War_II), and according to the *[Argus-Leader](/source/Argus-Leader)*, he "saw action in nearly every theater of war, from the [Dieppen raid](/source/Dieppe_Raid) [*sic*] to [Tunisia](/source/Tunisian_campaign) where he aided in the defeat of [Rummell's](/source/Erwin_Rommel) [Afrika Corps](/source/Afrika_Korps) [*sic*], to England after [Dunkirk](/source/Dunkirk_evacuation) and to [North Africa](/source/North_African_campaign)."[27] He later served as a [military attaché](/source/Military_attach%C3%A9) in [Paris](/source/Paris), France, and [London](/source/London), England, and retired with the rank of [colonel](/source/Colonel).[2]

Jennison lived in [Hopkinsville, Kentucky](/source/Hopkinsville,_Kentucky), for a time, before later moving to [Washington, D.C.](/source/Washington,_D.C.), and then to [South Pasadena, Florida](/source/South_Pasadena,_Florida).[1][2] In Washington, D.C., he served as president of the American Corn Millers Federation and the [American Society of Association Executives](/source/American_Society_of_Association_Executives), while he was also the governor of 157 clubs for [Toastmasters International](/source/Toastmasters_International) and a charter member of the [Elks Lodge](/source/Elks_Lodge) in [Chevy Chase, Maryland](/source/Chevy_Chase,_Maryland).[2] He was also a member of the Magnolia Lodge and a president of the South Dakota Society.[2] While in Florida, he served as president of the St. Petersburg Beach High Noon Lions Club and the Optimist Club of Bay Islands.[2] He was a member of the Pasadena Community Church.[2]

Jennison died on May 13, 1990, at the age of 80, at the VA Medical Center in [Bay Pines, Florida](/source/Bay_Pines,_Florida).[2]

## References

1. ["Raymond Jennison"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/kentucky-new-era/164983907/). *[Kentucky New Era](/source/Kentucky_New_Era)*. May 16, 1990. p. 2. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Basse, Craig (May 16, 1990). ["Raymond E. Jennison, executive, was player for Green Bay Packers"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-obituary-for-raymond-e/164984201/). *[Tampa Bay Times](/source/Tampa_Bay_Times)*. p. 42. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Avon (Avon, SD) Alumni Pro Stats"](https://www.pro-football-reference.com/schools/high_schools.cgi?id=93bd706a). *[Pro-Football-Reference.com](/source/Pro-Football-Reference.com)*. Retrieved February 12, 2025.

1. ["Ray Jennison Stats"](https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/j/jenn02000.html). *Pro Football Archives*. Retrieved February 12, 2025.

1. ["State College Frosh Expect Good Eleven"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal/164985939/). *[Rapid City Journal](/source/Rapid_City_Journal)*. [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press). September 29, 1927. p. 7. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Five S. D. State Gridders On All-Conference Eleven"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/164991156/). *[Argus-Leader](/source/Argus-Leader)*. [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press). December 6, 1928. p. 20. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Star State Tackle"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/164991788/). *[Argus-Leader](/source/Argus-Leader)*. October 16, 1929. p. 8. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Purcell, J. A. (November 24, 1929). ["Many Stars Perform in Interesting North Central Season"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-forum/164992210/). *[The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead](/source/The_Forum_of_Fargo-Moorhead)*. p. 16. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["In Jackrabbit Rushline"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/164992526/). *[Argus-Leader](/source/Argus-Leader)*. October 15, 1930. p. 8. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["North Central Team Includes None From S. D."](https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/164992753/). *[Argus-Leader](/source/Argus-Leader)*. [Associated Press](/source/Associated_Press). December 6, 1930. p. 9. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Professional Football Player Visits Canton"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/sioux-valley-news/164993024/). *[Sioux Valley News](/source/Sioux_Valley_News)*. November 19, 1931. p. 1. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. [""Aggie" School To Open Monday"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/164994164/). *[Argus-Leader](/source/Argus-Leader)*. October 14, 1931. p. 4. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Jenison to Coach 'Aggie' Quintet at State College"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/164994223/). *[Argus-Leader](/source/Argus-Leader)*. September 28, 1930. p. 9. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["State College Cadets Take High Camp Honor"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/164992869/). *[Argus-Leader](/source/Argus-Leader)*. August 5, 1930. p. 4. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["114 Sophomores Apply For Military Courses"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/164993787/). *[Argus-Leader](/source/Argus-Leader)*. June 3, 1931. p. 15. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Jennison, Raymond E."](https://www.newspapers.com/article/tampa-bay-times-obituary-for-raymond-e/75855225/). *[Tampa Bay Times](/source/Tampa_Bay_Times)*. May 16, 1990. p. 146. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Cardinals Here Sunday"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus/164996505/). *[The Rock Island Argus](/source/The_Rock_Island_Argus)*. October 24, 1931. p. 15. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["1931 Rock Island Greenbush"](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1931rockg.html). *Pro Football Archives*. Retrieved February 12, 2025.

1. ["Grid Tribe Signs Two"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-times/164998127/). *[The Indianapolis Times](/source/The_Indianapolis_Times)*. September 12, 1933. p. 13. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Two More Signed"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer/164997885/). *[The Cincinnati Enquirer](/source/The_Cincinnati_Enquirer)*. August 18, 1933. p. 16. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Ray Jennison NFL Transactions"](https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactions/j/jenn02000.html). *Pro Football Archives*. Retrieved February 12, 2025.

1. ["Gunners Add Star Blocker For Opener"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-globe-democrat/60513259/). *[St. Louis Globe-Democrat](/source/St._Louis_Globe-Democrat)*. September 30, 1933. p. 15. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["Gunners To Face Blackhawks Next"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-globe-democrat/164998590/). *[St. Louis Globe-Democrat](/source/St._Louis_Globe-Democrat)*. October 31, 1933. p. 12. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["New Tackle"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-tulsa-tribune/164998926/). *[The Tulsa Tribune](/source/The_Tulsa_Tribune)*. October 31, 1934. p. 12. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. ["1934 Tulsa Oilers (AFL)"](https://www.profootballarchives.com/1934afltul.html). *Pro Football Archives*. Retrieved February 12, 2025.

1. ["Alimony to Be Paid Mrs. Jennison Too Little, Court Rules"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/st-louis-globe-democrat/164999384/). *[St. Louis Globe-Democrat](/source/St._Louis_Globe-Democrat)*. January 17, 1937. p. 3. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

1. Van Dusen, Effie (February 15, 1953). ["Avon Soldier Says British 'Complacent'"](https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader/165000646/). *[Argus-Leader](/source/Argus-Leader)*. p. 5. – via [Newspapers.com](/source/Newspapers.com)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ray Jennison](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Jennison) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Jennison?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.