New Ulm Sports Central - Preserving and Sharing New Ulm Area Sports History

Saturday the Minnesota Vikings traded a first and fourth round pick to Philadelphia Eagles for quarterback Sam Bradford, former Oklahoma standout and starting quarterback for a number of NFL teams after college graduation.

The announcement came the same day a memorial service for New Ulm-Gibbon connection Oscar John Esser Jr. was held. He passed away Aug 20, 2016.

Esser, played Western Minnesota League baseball for both New Ulm Brewers and Gibbon in the late 1940's attended New Ulm High School. He also played high school baseball at American Legion ball for New Ulm. Oscar returned to Gibbon after practicing in New while Esser was graduated from New Ulm High School.

He was usually identified as Johnny Esser. His grand parents were Dr. Oscar and Florence Esser After graduating from St. Thomas, His insurance career took him to many states before he settled in Oklahoma where he became a very vocal and solid sports fan all his life. His full obituary is shown wtih this post. Johnny's daughter married Kent Bradford in Oklahoma City. Their son had an outstanding career at Oklahoma.

Another New Ulmite, Richard Eichten, was drafted for the NFL Philadelphia Eagles but chose not to play football professionally and after WW2, took over the family shoe business in New Ulm. The Eagles later may also sought New Ulm's Delmar Schapekahm (South Dakota State football) for their draft or training camp. Details have been unavailable.