Don Kindt

Kindt was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He played football for Washington High School in Milwaukee where he named to the All-City squad.^[1][2] He also played guard for Washington's high school basketball team.^[3]

After graduating from high school, Kindt received a scholarship to the University of Wisconsin. He became the starter at right halfback in his first year, while fellow freshman Clarence Self started at left halfback.^[4][5] In the season opener against Camp Grant, Kindt scored his first career touchdown on a six-yard run in the fourth quarter, which tied the game 7–7.^[1] Wisconsin went on to lose the game 10–7 after Camp Grant scored a field goal with five seconds left.^[6] In his third game, Kindt became a "hero of the game" for his playing tactics against the Iowa Hawkeyes. He scored the only touchdown of the game, a two-yard run, and managed to force the Hawkeyes to score a safety with time expiring when he did a quarterback kneel, and purposely fell down in the end zone, getting an Iowa defender to touch him for the safety.^[7] It prevented the Hawkeyes from potentially scoring a game-winning score as the Badgers won the game 7–5.^[7] Wisconsin temporarily managed to be in first place in the Big Ten conference play standings, though it was the lone highlight of the season for the Badgers, as they lost all their remaining games, mostly by blowouts and finished with a 1–9 record.^[7] After his first three games Kindt was impressing Wisconsin's coaches with his "ball carrying and defensive abilities", while scoring two of Wisconsin's three touchdowns so far for the season.^[1] In the next game against the University of Illinois, head coach Harry Stuhldreher named Kindt as the captain of the team.^[1] He missed the next two games due to a leg infection suffered prior to a game against the University of Notre Dame.^[8][9] He returned for the homecoming game against Northwestern University, where he played a "couple of minutes" as he was still recovering from his injury.^[8][10] He came back to full form against the University of Michigan.^[10] Overall, Kindt scored four of Wisconsin's six touchdowns of the season.^[11]

Kindt was drafted into the United States Army in 1943 while at Wisconsin, in the midst of World War II.^[12] He reported to active duty on February 1, 1944, receiving basic training at Fort Wolters, Texas.^[12] After training, Kindt was assigned to the Army's 10th Mountain Division.^[12] He missed the 1944 season and half of the 1945 season while participating in the Italian Campaign. He was rewarded with two Bronze Stars, and a Victory Medal for his actions in Italy.^[12] Kindt returned to play for the Badgers in October 1945.^[4][13] In his return, Kindt shared the halfback position with Ben Bendrick, and Jerry Thompson.^[4] Kindt only managed to play three games that season, mainly because of a late release he received while returning from the Army.^[13] When Kindt returned to the squad, one journalist took it as far as hailing Kindt's return as a "godsend" who inspired the Badgers with his "inspirational play".^[13] He scored two touchdowns against Iowa upon his return.^[13] In the season finale on November 24 against the Minnesota Golden Gophers, Kindt scored three touchdowns despite being used as a "blocking back" in a 26–12 win.^[14] The Badgers finished the season with a 3–4–2 record.^[15]

Prior to the 1946 season, Kindt was involved in a skiing accident when he fell down a flight of stairs, hurting his leg.^[16] He regained his job as the primary starter at the halfback position in time for the season opener. Kindt battled injuries with his ankle, leg and thigh throughout the season, which hampered his play at times.^[16] He rushed for 42 yards on 14 carries and one touchdown in a 20–7 upset over 14th ranked Ohio State Buckeyes on October 13, the first time Wisconsin beat Ohio State in football since 1942.^[17][18] The next game, a 27–21 loss against the University of Illinois, Kindt suffered a left knee injury after getting "kicked in the shins" during the fourth quarter and left the game, not playing on a regular basis afterwards.^[2][19] He rushed only for 21 yards on five carries in a 21–7 loss against Iowa on November 9.^[20] After the season, Kindt injured his right knee while playing a game of intramural basketball, requiring surgery at a time in which knee surgery wasn't as technologically advanced as today.^[2]

During his career in Wisconsin, Kindt was considered to be the team's best all-around player, a person who could run, throw, and kick efficiently, as well as playing defense.^[13] He also punted and played safety for Wisconsin.^[4] Kindt was named to the Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988 and the University of Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.^[21]