He played college football at the University of Wisconsin in 1944 and 1947 and was selected as a first-team All-American halfback at age 17 in 1944.

He was a star athlete in multiple sports, including baseball, basketball, and football, in high school.

[1] While still in high school, Girard received offers to play baseball for five major league teams.

[5] Girard returned to the University of Wisconsin as a student in January 1947,[6] and rejoined the football team for the 1947 season.

[9] Girard was selected by the Green Bay Packers with the seventh pick in the first round of the 1948 NFL draft.

[10] He was also offered a $7,500 per year contract by the New York Yankees of the All-America Football Conference, indicating in early January 1948 that he intended to sign with that team.

At the time, Girard was training in Florida with the Cleveland Indians minor league baseball team in Dayton, Ohio.

[19] In May 1950, he agreed to return to professional baseball, playing for the Cleveland Indians' minor league club in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

"[21] One day after retiring from professional baseball, Girard signed a contract to return to the Packers for the 1950 season.

[14] In the summer of 1951, Girard made another attempt at professional baseball, playing for Wilkes-Barre in the Class A Eastern League.

[25][26] In July 1952, the Packers traded Girard to the Detroit Lions in exchange for Ed Berrang and Steve Dowden.

[14] When Walker returned to the starting lineup in mid-December 1952, Detroit head coach Buddy Parker said, "Jug Girard did a terrific job in place of Doak.

"[30] During the summer of 1953, Girard returned to baseball as the manager of the Kaukauna, Wisconsin, team in the Fox River Valley Semi Pro League.

[32] He appeared in 11 games for the 1953 Lions, but his playing time was limited due to the return of Doak Walker to the lineup.

[14] Due to a knee injury, Girard was prescribed an "extra heavy right shoe" to wear during the 1953 season.

[36] In April 1957, Girard signed a contract with the Detroit Lions to play his tenth season in the NFL.