Rick Graf Richard Glenn Graf ( born August 29 , 1964 in Iowa City , Iowa ) is a former professional American football linebacker for eight years in the National Football League for the Miami Dolphins ( 1987 - 1990 ) , the Houston Oilers ( 1991 - 1992 ) , and the Washington Redskins ( 1993 - 1994 ) . Early life . Graf was raised in Madison , Wisconsin . While in the Madison Public Schools , he was active in swimming ( Parkcrest Penguins ) , track and field , hockey , and football . Graf graduated in 1982 from James Madison Memorial High School . He is the youngest of three sons of Dr . Richard and Barbara Graf . His older brothers include Andrew ( Tex ) Graf ( M . D . , Madison , Wisconsin ) and William ( Bill ) Graf ( D . D . S . , Middleton / Madison , Wisconsin ) . His father , Richard Graf , is still a practicing physician ( Urology ) and works with his oldest son , Andrew . William is a partner in First Choice Dental , with a specializing in cosmetic dentistry . Both of Rick ’ s parents graduated from the University of Wisconsin , Madison . While in the Madison Public Schools , Graf was active in age - group swimming ( for the Mighty Parkcrest Penguins ) , track and field , youth and high school hockey and football . Graf graduated ( 1982 ) from James Madison Memorial High School in Madison , Wisconsin . Madison Memorial High School also produced another NFL player , Tyrone Braxton ( Denver Broncos 1987 - 1999 , with one year in Miami ) . During his high school career , Graf was an All - State linebacker in football . He also played on the third line ( left wing ) for the Madison Memorial Spartans who finished second in the 1982 Wisconsin state hockey tournament . Graf also competed in track and field as a sprinter and 110 - meter high hurdler . College career . Graf was recruited to Wisconsin by the late head coach , Dave McClain ( who died unexpectedly in April 1986 ) . After being red - shirted his first college football season with an ankle injury , Graf was a four - year starter ( 1983 - 1986 seasons ) at the University of Wisconsin . During his collegiate career , Graf was paired as an outside linebacker with another Madison public school product , Tim Jordan ( graduate Madison La Follette High School ) . The two players competed against one another in football and in track and field before they both accepted athletic scholarships to attend the University of Wisconsin – Madison . As outside linebackers , Graf and Jordan were coached by former Badger defensive lineman Dave Anderson . Anderson now serves as the Deputy Director for the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletics Association . Under Anderson ’ s watchful eye , Graf and Jordan had combined for more than 80 tackles at a loss to the opposition of more than three hundred yards . Graf and Jordan were nicknamed “ Thunder and Lighting ” by Mike Lucas , sports writer for the Capital Times ( Madison ) and as a color commentator for Badger football and other sports . During the 1985 season , Graf tore his ACL in a game against Northwestern University . This injury ended his season and he had surgery the following day by Dr . William Clancy who at the time was the UW team doctor . Clancy went on to work with Dr . James Andrews at Alabama Sports Medicine & Orthopedic and now heads the Orthopedic Associates of Aspen and Glenwood in Colorado . Graf returned and played in his senior year . Despite Wisconsin ’ s 3 - 9 team record , Graf was named All - Big Ten linebacker by the coaches and media . Prior to the 1986 Wisconsin v . Michigan , former Michigan coach Bo Schembechler commented that over the course of their four years at Wisconsin , Graf and Jordan were the best tandem of outside linebackers his team played against . In the 1986 homecoming game vs . Illinois , Graf ’ s interception for a touchdown sealed the come from behind victory for the Badgers before a crowd of over 80 , 000 . Graf ’ s quote in the Wisconsin State Journal the following morning was “ After I scored they could have opened the gate and I would have run to Jingles ( Tavern ) to continue the celebration . ” Jingles , located adjacent to Camp Randall Stadium , is a local bar favorite for Wisconsin fans throughout the years . During his collegiate years , Graf participated in two college plays : the " Sound of Music " and " Antigone " . Graf completed his undergraduate degree in Communications ( B . S . 1987 ) . Professional career . Graf ( 6 ft 5 in and 239 lbs . ) was drafted in the second round ( 43rd pick ) of the 1987 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins . In late July 1987 , after missing several days of training camp , he signed his first contract with the Miami Dolphins . Graf became a starter during his rookie year , the 1987 NFL season . Seven other Wisconsin football players were drafted along with Graf in the 1987 NFL draft . They include : Nate Odomes ( Buffalo ) , Tim Jordan ( New England ) , Michael Reid ( Atlanta ) , Joe Armentrout ( Tampa Bay ) , Craig Raddatz ( Cincinnati ) , Bobby Taylor ( also Miami ) , and Larry Emery ( Atlanta ) . Graf played for the Miami Dolphins ( 1986 - 1990 ) , the Houston Oilers ( 1991 - 92 ) , and the Washington Redskins ( 1993 - 94 ) . He was forced to retire after a severe neck injury suffered in the last pre - season game with the Redskins . Graf is an active member of the Minnesota Chapter of the National Football League Alumni organization . Graf resides in Edina , Minnesota , and his wife and their three children Kathryn , Derek , and Christine .