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{{Infobox gridiron football person
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{{Infobox NFL player
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|name=Walt Kowalczyk
 
|image=
  
|image=
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|caption=
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|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1935|4|17|mf=y}}
  
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|position=[[Fullback (American football)|Fullback]] / [[Defensive back]]
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|birth_place=[[Westfield, MA]]
  
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|number=43, 35
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|death_date=
  
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|birth_date={{Birth date|1935|4|17|mf=y}}
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|College=[[Michigan State University|Michigan State]]
  
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|birth_place=[[Westfield, Massachusetts]]
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|Position=[[Defensive back]]<br>[[Fullback (American football)|Fullback]]
  
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|death_date={{Death date and age|2018|11|7|1935|4|17}}
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|DraftedYear=1958
  
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|death_place=
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|DraftedRound=1
  
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|DraftedPick=6
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|height_ft=6
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|height_in=0
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|years=1958-1959<br>1960<br>1961
  
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|weight_lbs=208
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|teams=[[Philadelphia Eagles]]<br>[[Dallas Cowboys]]<br>[[Oakland Raiders]] ([[American Football League|AFL]])
  
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|high_school=[[Westfield High School (Massachusetts)|Westfield (MA)]]
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|NFL=KOW138430
  
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|college=[[Michigan State University|Michigan State]]
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|DatabaseFootball=KOWALWAL01
  
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|draftyear=1958
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|PFR=KowaWa00
  
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|draftround=1
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|draftpick=6
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|pastteams=
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* [[Philadelphia Eagles]] ({{NFL Year|1958}}–{{NFL Year|1959}})
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* [[Dallas Cowboys]] ({{NFL Year|1960}})
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* [[Oakland Raiders]] ([[1961 AFL season|1961]])
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|pastteamsnote=
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|highlights=
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* 2× Honorable-mention [[Big Ten Conference|All-Big Ten]] ([[1955 All-Big Ten Conference football team|1955]], [[1956 All-Big Ten Conference football team|1956]])
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* [[Big Ten Conference|All-Big Ten]] ([[1955 All-Big Ten Conference football team|1957]])
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* [[All-American]] ([[1957 College Football All-America Team|1957]])
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|statlabel1=Games played
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|statvalue1=40
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|nfl=KOW138430
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|pfr=KowaWa00
 
}}
  
}}
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'''Walter Joseph Kowalczyk''' (born April 17, 1935) is a former [[American football]] [[defensive back]] and [[Fullback (American football)|fullback]] in the [[National Football League]] for the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] and the [[Dallas Cowboys]]. He also played in the [[American Football League]] for the [[Oakland Raiders]]. Kowalczyk played [[college football]] at [[Michigan State University]] and placed third in Heisman Trophy voting in 1957.<ref>http://www.heisman.com/winners/j-crow57.php</ref> He was [[NFL draft|drafted]] in the first round of the [[1958 NFL Draft]].
  
   
  ⚫
'''Walter Joseph Kowalczyk''' (April 17, 1935 – November 7, 2018) was an [[American football]] [[defensive back]] and [[Fullback (American football)|fullback]] in the [[National Football League]] for the [[Philadelphia Eagles]] and the [[Dallas Cowboys]]. He also played in the [[American Football League]] for the [[Oakland Raiders]]. He played [[college football]] at [[Michigan State University]].
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Kowalczyk is a member of [[The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C.]] National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.
  
   
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==Early years==
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He currently lives in the [[Rochester, Michigan|Rochester]], [[Michigan]] area. He is active in community activities and volunteers his time teaching Drivers Training classes.
  
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Kowalczyk attended [[Westfield High School (Massachusetts)|Westfield High School]], where he earned four letters in football and baseball, three in basketball and two in track. In football and baseball he was named to the All-state team twice. He won the state 100-yard dash title twice. As a senior, he received the Harry Agganis Award as the best high school athlete in New England.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.masslive.com/sports/2010/06/westfield_high_star_walt_kowal.html | title=Westfield High star Walt Kowalczyk to join Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame | accessdate=April 30, 2017}}</ref>
   
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He accepted a scholarship from [[Michigan State University]], where he became a three-year starter at right halfback. As a sophomore, he was given the nickname "The Sprinting Blacksmith", after his efforts helped his team defeat [[UCLA]] in the [[1956 Rose Bowl]]. He recorded 584 yards and 6 touchdowns in the season.
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{{reflist}}
  
   
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As a junior, he was limited with a serious ankle sprain he suffered during fall practice and only registered 128 yards and 2 touchdowns.
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In 1957, he posted 545 rushing yards (5.4 yards average), 9 touchdowns (led the Big Ten Conference) and 7 receptions for 128 yards. He placed third in the [[Heisman Trophy]] voting, the highest place ever by a Michigan State player.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://heisman.com/news/2015/9/8/Heisman_Winners_TeammatesandtheHeisman.aspx | title=Teammates and the Heisman | accessdate=April 30, 2017}}</ref> He finished his career with 1,257 rushing yards on 225 carries, 16 touchdowns, 10 receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown.
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==Professional career==
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===Philadelphia Eagles===
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Kowalczyk was [[NFL draft|selected]] in the first round (6th overall) of the [[1958 NFL Draft]] by the [[Philadelphia Eagles]]. He was a backup [[running back]] behind [[Clarence Peaks]] and [[Billy Ray Barnes]]. He also was a backup [[defensive back]] behind [[Tom Brookshier]] and [[Eddie Bell (halfback)|Eddie Bell]].
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On July 24, [[1960 NFL season|1960]], he was traded to the [[Detroit Lions]] in exchange for [[Jerry Reichow]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=110&dat=19600725&id=gKZaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=K1ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=4038,4014209&hl=es | title=Leading Everybody Happy with Lions Deal | accessdate=April 30, 2017}}</ref>
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===Dallas Cowboys===
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Kowalczyk spent six weeks with the [[Detroit Lions]] in training camp, before his rights were sold to the [[Dallas Cowboys]]. Although he initially refused to report to the team, he changed his mind after commissioner [[Pete Rozelle]] threatened to fine him.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1978&dat=19510701&id=EEYiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dawFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1847,201213&hl=es | title=MSU Backs To Join Cowboys | accessdate=April 30, 2017}}</ref>
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Although he was considered light for the position, he became the first starting [[Fullback (gridiron football)|fullback]] in franchise history (7 starts), while sharing playing time with [[Gene Babb]] (5 starts).<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.dallascowboys.com/team/history/1960-dallas-cowboys | title=1960 Dallas Cowboys | accessdate=April 30, 2017}}</ref> He finished with 50 carries for 156 yards (third on the team) and 14 receptions for 143 yards (fifth on the team). He was waived in on September 12, [[1961 NFL season|1961]].
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===Oakland Raiders===
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On September 19, [[1961 AFL season|1961]], he was signed as a [[free agent]] by the [[Oakland Raiders]] of the [[American Football League]].<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1978&dat=19610919&id=MkYiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dawFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3774,6868135&hl=es | title=Ex-Spartan Called UP | accessdate=April 30, 2017}}</ref> He retired after four games.
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==Personal life==
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Kowalczyk became a teacher at [[Michigan State University]]. He was a member of [[The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C.]] National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.
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He lived in the [[Rochester, Michigan|Rochester]], [[Michigan]] area, and spent his post-football years active in community activities (such as volunteering his time teaching Drivers Training classes). Kowalczyk died on November 7, 2018 at the age of 83.<ref>https://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2018/11/former_michigan_state_all-amer_9.html</ref>
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==References==
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{{Reflist}}
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==External links==
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*[http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/top50-football/2015/07/01/msu-top-50-walt-kowalczyk/29451961/ MSU's top 50 football players: No. 38 Walt Kowalczyk]
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{{1958 NFL Draft}}
 
{{Eagles1958DraftPicks}}
  
{{Eagles1958DraftPicks}}
 
{{EaglesFirstPick}}
  
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{{1957 College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
  
{{1957 College Football Consensus All-Americans}}
   
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
  
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| NAME = Kowalczyk, Walt
  
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| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
  
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| SHORT DESCRIPTION = American football player
  
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| DATE OF BIRTH = April 17, 1935
  
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| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[Westfield, MA]]
  
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| DATE OF DEATH =
  
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| PLACE OF DEATH =
  
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}}
  
 
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kowalczyk, Walt}}
  
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kowalczyk, Walt}}
 
[[Category:1935 births]]
  
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[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:2018 deaths]]
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[[Category:People from Westfield, Massachusetts]]
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[[Category:Players of American football from Massachusetts]]
 
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
  
[[Category:All-American college football players]]
 
[[Category:American football defensive backs]]
  
[[Category:American football defensive backs]]
 
[[Category:American football fullbacks]]
  
[[Category:American football fullbacks]]
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[[Category:Dallas Cowboys players]]
  
 
[[Category:Michigan State Spartans football players]]
  
[[Category:Michigan State Spartans football players]]
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[[Category:Oakland Raiders (AFL) players]]
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[[Category:Dallas Cowboys players]]
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[[Category:People from Westfield, Massachusetts]]
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[[Category:Oakland Raiders players]]
 
[[Category:Philadelphia Eagles players]]
  
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[[Category:American people of Polish descent]]
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[[Category:American Football League players]]
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Latest revision as of 23:32, 28 August 2019

Walt Kowalczyk
No. 43, 35     
Fullback / Defensive back
Personal information
Date of birth: (1935-04-17)April 17, 1935
Place of birth: Westfield, Massachusetts
Date of death: November 7, 2018(2018-11-07) (aged 83)
Career information
College: Michigan State
NFL Draft: 1958 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6
No regular season or postseason appearances
Career history
* Philadelphia Eagles ( 1958– 1959)
Career highlights and awards
* 2× Honorable-mention All-Big Ten (1955, 1956)
Games played     40
Stats at NFL.com
Stats at pro-football-reference.com

Walter Joseph Kowalczyk (April 17, 1935 – November 7, 2018) was an American football defensive back and fullback in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys. He also played in the American Football League for the Oakland Raiders. He played college football at Michigan State University.

Early years

Kowalczyk attended Westfield High School, where he earned four letters in football and baseball, three in basketball and two in track. In football and baseball he was named to the All-state team twice. He won the state 100-yard dash title twice. As a senior, he received the Harry Agganis Award as the best high school athlete in New England.[1]

He accepted a scholarship from Michigan State University, where he became a three-year starter at right halfback. As a sophomore, he was given the nickname "The Sprinting Blacksmith", after his efforts helped his team defeat UCLA in the 1956 Rose Bowl. He recorded 584 yards and 6 touchdowns in the season.

As a junior, he was limited with a serious ankle sprain he suffered during fall practice and only registered 128 yards and 2 touchdowns.

In 1957, he posted 545 rushing yards (5.4 yards average), 9 touchdowns (led the Big Ten Conference) and 7 receptions for 128 yards. He placed third in the Heisman Trophy voting, the highest place ever by a Michigan State player.[2] He finished his career with 1,257 rushing yards on 225 carries, 16 touchdowns, 10 receptions for 187 yards and one touchdown.

Professional career

Philadelphia Eagles

Kowalczyk was selected in the first round (6th overall) of the 1958 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. He was a backup running back behind Clarence Peaks and Billy Ray Barnes. He also was a backup defensive back behind Tom Brookshier and Eddie Bell.

On July 24, 1960, he was traded to the Detroit Lions in exchange for Jerry Reichow.[3]

Dallas Cowboys

Kowalczyk spent six weeks with the Detroit Lions in training camp, before his rights were sold to the Dallas Cowboys. Although he initially refused to report to the team, he changed his mind after commissioner Pete Rozelle threatened to fine him.[4]

Although he was considered light for the position, he became the first starting fullback in franchise history (7 starts), while sharing playing time with Gene Babb (5 starts).[5] He finished with 50 carries for 156 yards (third on the team) and 14 receptions for 143 yards (fifth on the team). He was waived in on September 12, 1961.

Oakland Raiders

On September 19, 1961, he was signed as a free agent by the Oakland Raiders of the American Football League.[6] He retired after four games.

Personal life

Kowalczyk became a teacher at Michigan State University. He was a member of The Pigskin Club of Washington, D.C. National Intercollegiate All-American Football Players Honor Roll.

He lived in the Rochester, Michigan area, and spent his post-football years active in community activities (such as volunteering his time teaching Drivers Training classes). Kowalczyk died on November 7, 2018 at the age of 83.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "Westfield High star Walt Kowalczyk to join Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame". http://www.masslive.com/sports/2010/06/westfield_high_star_walt_kowal.html. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  2. ↑ "Teammates and the Heisman". http://heisman.com/news/2015/9/8/Heisman_Winners_TeammatesandtheHeisman.aspx. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  3. ↑ "Leading Everybody Happy with Lions Deal". https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=110&dat=19600725&id=gKZaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=K1ADAAAAIBAJ&pg=4038,4014209&hl=es. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  4. ↑ "MSU Backs To Join Cowboys". https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1978&dat=19510701&id=EEYiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dawFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1847,201213&hl=es. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  5. ↑ "1960 Dallas Cowboys". http://www.dallascowboys.com/team/history/1960-dallas-cowboys. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  6. ↑ "Ex-Spartan Called UP". https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1978&dat=19610919&id=MkYiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=dawFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3774,6868135&hl=es. Retrieved April 30, 2017.
  7. ↑ https://www.mlive.com/spartans/index.ssf/2018/11/former_michigan_state_all-amer_9.html

External links

Template:1958 NFL Draft

v · d · ePhiladelphia Eagles 1958 NFL Draft selections
Walt Kowalczyk • Proverb Jacobs • Frank Rigney • Bobby Mulgado • John Kersey • Len Mansfield • Bill Striegel • Theron Sapp • Mel Dillard • Jack Crabtree • Mickey Trimarki • Bill Lapham • Stan Hinos • Mike Meatheringham • Bill Van Buren • John Burroughs • Ron Sabal • Kent Lovelace • John Madden • George Sherwood • Billy Templeton • Jim Padgett • Hal Devine • Neil MacLean • Hindman Wall • Gene Gossage • Don McDonald • Jim Thompson
v · d · ePhiladelphia Eagles first-round draft picks
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