Richard Schauffele (26 January 1903 â 5 February 1983) was a German engineer, track athlete, footballer, politician, and sports personality.
In his youth up to his mid-twenties, the civil engineer by trade played football for the VfB Stuttgart. At the age of 25, Schauffele switched over to track & field and never looked back.
From 1919 to 1927, Schauffele played football on the first squad of the VfB Stuttgart and, In 1927, won the Southern German championship title with the VfB Stuttgart. However, the team failed to reach the finals for the German championships.
The year 1927 marked the end of Schauffele's football career, who, from hereon, was focused on developing his talents in the throwing disciplines of track and field. At a height of 6'8", Schauffele was a giant of his time and an exceptionally gifted athlete. He successfully competed in national championships up to the age of 40 and was able to garner 32 state and regional championship titles in discus, javelin, shot-put and ball throwing (now no longer a competitive discipline). In 1935, Schauffele's efforts were rewarded when winning the German national team title with the Stuttgarter Kickers.
Schauffele's great-grandson, Xander is an American professional golfer.