He saw action in the November 1945 "Homecoming" game against Minnesota. During the 1946 season, Derleth returned to the starting lineup at the tackle position. Derleth suffered a concussion in the 1946 game against Illinois and did not play the following week. After his 1946 season at Michigan, Derleth was drafted in by the Chicago Rockets in the 1947 AAFC Draft as the 25th overall pick. In May 1947, Derleth signed instead with the Detroit Lions, who still held the NFL rights to his services. At the time Derleth signed with the Lions, he weighed 230 pounds. The 1947 Detroit Lions team included six former Michigan football players, including Derleth's Wolverine teammates Bob Westfall, Merv Pregulman, Bob Wiese, and Elmer Madar. Derleth appeared in only one game for the Lions in 1947. He was later recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame on the honor roll of more than 1,000 NFL personnel to serve in the military during World War II. Derleth later became the president of Motor Wheel Corporation, a position he held from 1967 to 1979. He died in December 2012 at a hospice in Lansing, Michigan, at age 90. References 1922 births 2012 deaths Michigan Wolverines football players Detroit Lions players People from Marquette, Michigan United States Navy personnel of World War II