John Garrels

Who was John Garrels?

John Garrels was an American athlete who excelled in the 110 metres hurdles, discus throw, shot put, and as a fullback and end in American football.

Garrels won the silver medal in the men's 110 metres hurdles and a bronze medal in the shot put at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. On at least four occasions, he broke world's records in the discus throw and 110 metres hurdles, though the Amateur Athletic Union declined to recognize the record on each occasion. He was also a starting left end and fullback for the 1904, 1905, and 1906 Michigan Wolverines football teams.

In 1911, the famed trainer and U.S. Olympic track and field coach Mike Murphy rated Garrels as one of the four athletes in the preceding 30 years "who towered head and shoulders above any other athletes of their time." In 1932, Keene Fitzpatrick, who trained multiple Olympic gold medalists, called Garrels the best all-around athlete he ever handled.

After retiring from athletics, Garrels worked as a chemical engineer. He was a technical director at Wyandotte Chemical Company for 27 years. He died in 1956 at Grosse Ile Township, Michigan.