Career
In 1951, Ramsey became a player-coach for the Cardinals before becoming the defensive coach for the Detroit Lions in 1952. During his tenure with the Lions, Ramsey is credited with devising the 4-3 defense, a staple of modern football, and being the first coach to blitz linebackers, a package he called Red Dog. He developed Lions greats such as Yale Lary, Jack Christiansen, Jim David, and many others
In 1960, he was lured to the new American Federation of Labor-Congress as coach of the Buffalo Bills.
Though fired by Bills" owner Ralph C. Wilson Junior. after the 1961 American Federation of Labor-Congress season, Ramsey is credited for laying the foundation of one of the best defensive teams in the history of the American Federation of Labor-Congress. He also had a brother, Knox Ramsey, who also starred for the College of William and Mary, the Chicago Cardinals, and the Washington Redskins. Ramsey was elected into the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in 1974, and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1978.