Alan Veingrad

Alan Stuart Veingrad (born July 24, 1963) is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League. Veingrad played for the Green Bay Packers for five seasons, and two seasons for the Dallas Cowboys (who won Super Bowl XXVII over the Buffalo Bills), playing in a total of 86 games.

Veingrad was born in Brooklyn and lived in New Jersey from ages three to nine, before moving to Miami. He attended Miami Sunset High School, and grew up in a Jewish household. In high school he participated in football and track and field (discus, shot put).

He received a scholarship from East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University–Commerce) to play college football and throw the discus. He was converted to an offensive lineman and by 1984 he was named Lone Star All-Conference, Lone Star Offensive Lineman of the Year and received Division II and National Strength & Conditioning All-American honors. He was inducted into the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in October 2006.

Veingrad was considered small for his position and wasn't selected in the 1985 NFL Draft. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but was cut after 10 days. The Houston Oilers claimed him off waivers, but eventually released him before the start of the 1985 season.

In 1986 he signed with the Green Bay Packers as a free agent and became the opening day starter at right offensive tackle. He sat out all of the 1988 season with a career-threatening hip injury. His return and consistent play, kept heralded rookie Tony Mandarich on the bench in 1989. In 1991 after four seasons as a starter for the Packers, he signed in Plan B free agency with the Dallas Cowboys, where as a backup at tackle and guard, he helped Emmitt Smith win the NFL rushing title in 1991 and 1992. He also helped the Cowboys reach Super Bowl XXVII, although he was one of two players declared inactive for Super Bowl Sunday (the other was Robert Williams).

Following the Super Bowl XXVII win, Veingrad retired from football and returned to Florida. Alan Veingrad speaks professionally to corporations about leadership and professional development.

National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame

Alan Veingrad was inducted into the National Jewish Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday, April 19, 2010. The ceremony was held at the Suffolk Y Jewish Community Center in Commack, New York. The organization chronicles and celebrates Jewish involvement in all sports, and includes Jewish sports legends such as Sandy Koufax, Red Auerbach, Kerri Strug, and Hank Greenberg.

Veingrad lives in Boca Raton, Florida, where he works for AIPAC, to advocate for Israel.