Ralph was a 1951 graduate of Deshler High School where he played center of the Tiger football team for Coach Howard Chappell. Coach Chappell stated that "Ralph was the best lineman he ever coached". As a high school player he was selected All Tri-Cities, All Tennessee Valley Conference and All-State. Following high school he was signed to a scholarship to Mississippi State University. After playing one year for the Bulldogs, Coach Murray Warmath took his scholarship because he would not allow players to be married. After college he returned home to Tuscumbia and was a successful business man. He was manager and vice-president of Applied Plastics.