Art Michalik
| No. 62 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died: | February 23, 2021 (aged 91) | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 229 lb (104 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Weber (Chicago, Illinois) | ||||||||
| College: | St. Ambrose | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1951 / Round: 17 / Pick: 198 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||||
Arthur Michalik (January 31, 1930 – February 23, 2021) was an American professional
College and military career
Michalik was the son of a Chicago police sergeant.
After graduating college in 1951, Michalik was drafted into the United States Marine Corps. He was assigned to Naval Station Treasure Island and appointed as a recreation assistant. He also joined the base's football team and became the starting right tackle. The 49ers expressed interest in signing him upon his discharge after a scout attended the Pirates' 31–14 win against the Pittsburg Buccaneers.[2] He was discharged on October 9, 1953, and permitted to sign with the 49ers in July via accrued terminal leave.[1]
National Football League career
As a rookie in 1953, Michalik helped the 49ers defeat the
Michalik's 1954 season ended when he tore knee ligaments in a tie against the Rams, a game that also resulted in injuries for his teammates and drew condemnation from 49ers owner Tony Morabito and captain Bruno Banducci.[9][10] At the end of the year, he was urged to retire by team doctors but refused, prompting the 49ers to trade him to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a conditional draft pick. After Steelers center Bill Walsh's retirement, he became the starter at the position and also played kicker, for two seasons.[11][12]
Professional wrestling career
During his playing days, Michalik also entered professional wrestling and formed a tag team with 49ers player Leo Nomellini.[13] Nicknamed "Boom Boom Michalik", he thrice won the Pacific Northwest Wrestling Tag Team Championship.
Teaching career
Michalik later became a high school coach and teacher at La Quinta High School, Los Amigos High School, Pacifica High School and Garden Grove High School and at Golden West College in Huntington Beach, California.[14]
Death
On February 23, 2021, the 49ers announced Michalik's death.[15]
See also
References
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- ^ Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- Newspapers.com.
- ^ Gambini, Bert (May 20, 2014). "The Otto Graham Myth and the Evolution of the Face Mask". The Coffin Corner. Cleveland Browns. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
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- ^ Cornwell, Mike (October 8, 1987). "Orange County Prep Football: Los Amigos Plans to Zero In on Cheatham". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ @49ers (February 24, 2021). "The #49ers extend their condolences to the family and friends of Art Michalik who has passed. He spent two years with SF (1953-54) and earned All-Pro & Pro Bowl honors in '53" (Tweet). Retrieved February 24, 2021 – via Twitter.
External links
- Art Michalik's profile at Cagematch.net, Wrestlingdata.com