Ratterman's Diverse Post-Playing Career: Law, Law Enforcement, and Media
Transitioning from the gridiron to a professional career is a challenge for any athlete, but few have navigated this shift with as much variety and eccentricity as Ratterman. Beyond his time as a professional football player, he carved out a multifaceted legacy as a legal expert, a transformative law enforcement officer, a sports broadcaster, and a published author.
Key Facts
- Served as general counsel for the American Football League (AFL) Players Association in the mid-1960s.
- Elected Sheriff of Campbell County, Kentucky, in 1961.
- Provided color analysis for the first-ever Super Bowl on the NBC Radio Network.
- Authored the anecdotal memoir Confessions of a Gypsy Quarterback (1962).
- Worked as a color commentator for ABC-TV and NBC-TV between 1960 and 1973.
Legal Career and Union Leadership
Ratterman pursued a formal education in law, earning his degree in 1956. Following his graduation, he was admitted to practice law in both Ohio and Kentucky. His legal expertise led him to a significant role in sports labor relations during the mid-1960s, where he served as the general counsel for the American Football League Players Association. During this tenure, he worked closely with the union's president, Jack Kemp.
Law Enforcement in Campbell County
In 1961, Ratterman entered the political arena and was elected sheriff of Campbell County, Kentucky. His path to victory was unconventional; during an irregular campaign season, he was the target of a failed blackmail attempt in which he was drugged with chloral hydrate and placed in bed with a stripper. Rather than ruining his reputation, the publicity from this botched frame-up propelled him and his party to an electoral victory.
As sheriff, Ratterman is credited with significantly reducing the prevalence of vice businesses, including prostitution and gambling, which had dominated the city of Newport since the Civil War. This cleanup was attributed to his personal relationship with Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy and his effective coordination with federal agents.
Despite his success as sheriff, Ratterman's subsequent political ambitions were less fruitful. In the 1960s, he ran unsuccessfully for county judge and the United States Congress, finishing third in the Republican primary for Kentucky's 4th congressional district behind Gene Snyder.
Literary Contributions and Humor
In 1962, Ratterman published Confessions of a Gypsy Quarterback through Coward-McCann. The book is a collection of humorous anecdotes regarding his experiences and hijinks in the world of professional football. Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Otto Graham, who wrote the foreword, described Ratterman as the "best natural clown and comic" he had ever encountered in the league.
One notable story from his time with the Browns illustrates his wit: when receiving a play call via Coach Paul Brown's messenger guard system, Ratterman told the rookie guard, Joe Skibinski, to "go back and get another one" because he disliked the play. The rookie nearly obeyed the request before Ratterman and his teammates intervened.
Broadcasting and Media Presence
Ratterman became a familiar voice in sports media, serving as a color commentator—an analyst who provides expert insight to complement the play-by-play announcer—for both the AFL and NFL. He worked with ABC-TV from 1960 to 1964 and NBC-TV from 1965 to 1973, often partnering with broadcasters Jack Buck and Charlie Jones.
A career highlight occurred on January 15, 1967, when Ratterman provided color analysis for Jim Simpson's play-by-play coverage of Super Bowl I on the NBC Radio Network. Additionally, during the halftime of the first NFL-AFL Championship Game at the Los Angeles Coliseum, he conducted interviews with San Diego Chargers wide receiver Lance Alworth and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Don Meredith.
| Field | Role/Achievement | Key Period/Date |
|---|---|---|
| Law | General Counsel, AFL Players Association | Mid-1960s |
| Law Enforcement | Sheriff of Campbell County, KY | Elected 1961 |
| Literature | Author of Confessions of a Gypsy Quarterback | 1962 |
| Broadcasting | Color Commentator (ABC and NBC) | 1960–1973 |
| Sports History | Super Bowl I Radio Analyst | January 15, 1967 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Ratterman become the Sheriff of Campbell County?
Ratterman was elected in 1961 after a failed blackmail attempt involving chloral hydrate and a stripper brought him significant publicity, which helped propel him and his party to victory.
What was Ratterman's impact as a law enforcement officer?
He is credited with dramatically diminishing the gambling, prostitution, and vice businesses in Newport, aided by his coordination with federal agents and his relationship with Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy.
What is the subject of the book Confessions of a Gypsy Quarterback?
Published in 1962, the book contains humorous anecdotes and stories about Ratterman's experiences and antics during his professional football career.
Which major sporting event did Ratterman cover for NBC Radio?
Ratterman provided the color analysis for Jim Simpson's play-by-play coverage of Super Bowl I on January 15, 1967.
Did Ratterman have any success in congressional politics?
No, he was an unsuccessful candidate for the United States Congress in the 1960s, finishing third in the Republican primary for Kentucky's 4th congressional district.