Reuben Kelto

Who was Reuben Kelto?

Reuben W. Kelto was an American football player. He played at the tackle position for the University of Michigan from 1939 to 1941. He was chosen as the Most Valuable Player on the 1941 Michigan Wolverines football team.

Kelto was born in 1919 in Bessemer, Michigan, the son of Emil and Lilly Kelto. He graduated from the A.D. Johnston High School in 1938.

He enrolled at the University of Michigan and played football under head coach Fritz Crisler from 1939 to 1941. He first gained attention in Michigan's 1939 victory over Iowa. Following the game, Bob Murphy of the Detroit News wrote: "A new star stood out for the Wolverines in Reuben Kelto of Bessemer. Subbing for Bill at various intervals in the game Kelto did an outstanding job."

Kelto went on to become the Most Valuable Player on the 1941 Michigan Wolverines football team. The 1941 team under head coach Fritz Crisler finished with a 6-1-1 record and were ranked fifth in the final Associated Press poll.

Kelto received a bachelor of science degree in engineering degree from the University of Michigan and later received a master's degree from the Chrysler Institute of Engineering in Detroit, Michigan.