Ralph Baker (linebacker)

Ralph Baker
Baker with the New York Jets in 1973
No. 51
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1942-08-25) August 25, 1942
Lewistown, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:232 lb (105 kg)
Career information
High school:Lewistown
College:Penn State
NFL draft:1964: 3rd round, 38th pick
AFL draft:1964: 6th round, 43rd pick
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Ralph Robert Baker (born August 25, 1942) is an American former professional football player.

Baker was selected in both the 1964 AFL and NFL drafts—the Pittsburgh Steelers selected him with their third round pick, while the New York Jets used their sixth round pick to select him. Baker elected to sign with New York and played linebacker position for 141 games over 11 seasons (19641974). This included the Jets' Super Bowl III victory. In 1979, he was hired as Vice Principal of the Chief Logan High School in Mifflin County, Pennsylvania. This period marked a time of trouble within the rebellious student body and, after one year, both Baker and the school's head principal resigned. He retired as principal of Tuscarora Junior High School in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania, in 2010.

Baker played college football at Penn State University where he was a member of Sigma Pi fraternity.