Bert Rechichar
Tennessee | |||||||||||
NFL draft: | 1952 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10 | ||||||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Albert Daniel Rechichar (Pronounced: "Rech-i-SHAR") (July 16, 1930 – July 19, 2019) was an
Drafted in the first round of the
While playing for the Colts in 1953, Rechichar kicked a successful 56-yard
Biography
Early years
Bert Rechichar was born on July 16, 1930, in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, the youngest of ten children.[1]
He attended Rostraver High School in
He moved to fullback in 1947, his final year of high school, and distinguished himself as a difficult-to-tackle runner, scoring four touchdowns in one contest against California High School of neighboring California, Pennsylvania.[3]
College football career
In 1948, Rechichar enrolled at the University of Tennessee — a school which was segregated by law until 1960.[4] He played varsity football for the Volunteers from 1949 to 1951 (freshmen being prohibited from varsity play due to NCAA rules).
The Nashville Tennessean was effusive in its praise of the 19-year old Rechichar ahead of the
His performance as a defender was judged even more highly, with the Tennessean declaring, "where this boy really shines is on defense — he is a rocking sure tackler and covers passes like a vet."[5] The paper called him a "standout" of spring practice.[5]
In his a senior of
Rechichar helped the Volunteers go 10–0, en route to a New Year's Day matchup with undefeated
Despite a divided claim to the national title following the Sugar Bowl loss, the 1951 season was wildly successful for Tennessee, with Bert Rechichar's stellar play both offensively and defensively frequently noted as the linchpin of the team's success.[9] Vols head coach Bob Neyland proclaimed Rechichar "the best since Bob Foxx, and probably the best all-around player in Tennessee football history."[9]
Baseball career
Rechichar was also an outfielder on the Tennessee Volunteers baseball team, helping the advance to the final game of the 1951 College World Series — a contest ultimately won by Oklahoma, 3–2. He was named a member of the All-Southeast Conference team as an outfielder at the end of the 1951 season.[10]
He won a second letter for baseball for the Volunteers in the 1952 season, playing center field and leading the team in home runs.[11]
At the end of the 1952 college baseball season Rechichar signed a contract with the
After spring training the outfielder Rechichar was again assigned to Reading for the 1953 season. He was subsequently sent down to the
Professional football career
Rechichar was selected in the first round of the
Rechichar was chosen for the annual college all-star game, held in Chicago on August 15, 1952 — a game won by the NFL champion Los Angeles Rams. Unfortunately Rechichar's nose was broken on his first play in the game and he went to training camp with two black eyes for his trouble.[16]
Browns defensive back Cliff Lewis quit football after the 1951 season, opening up the starting position at safety and a path for Rechichar to immediately be inserted in the lineup. Future Hall of Fame head coach Paul Brown was immediately won over by Rechichar's defensive prowess. After giving him extensive work in practice, Brown observed that Rechichar had quick reactions and recovered from mistakes quickly.[17] "It's very evident Bert has had a lot of experience back there," Brown said.[17]
Rechichar would start all 12 games at safety for the Browns in 1952, coming up with 6 interceptions and a fumble recovery.[18]
On March 25, 1953, Rechichar was involved in a massive 15 player trade with the Baltimore Colts — a straight 10-for-5 swap of contracts in which no additional money changed hands.[19] Joining Rechichar in making the move from the mighty Browns to the expansion Colts were such future starters as defensive backs Don Shula and Carl Taseff, end Art Spinney, as well as veteran guard Ed Sharkey.[19] Going to Cleveland were four offensive linemen and halfback John Petitbon — three of whom were currently in the uniform of the United States armed forces.[19] The one-sided deal went far towards putting the new Baltimore franchise on the NFL map.
The Kick
As time ran out in the first half of the season opener for the
Rechichar's blast broke the previous record of 54 yards held by Glenn Presnell of the Detroit Lions since 1934.[21] According to observers, the ball was placed barely outside the 55 yard line for the record-setting kick, but official scorer Mel Schilling ruled it a 56-yarder and as such it entered the NFL record books.[22] Rechichar also intercepted a pass and ran it back for what would be his only NFL touchdown in the Colts 13–9 victory over the visiting Chicago Bears.[21]
The record-setting kick was Rechichar's first field goal attempt as a professional.[15] It was a record that would stand until Tom Dempsey of the New Orleans Saints booted a 63-yarder in 1970.
Throughout his time with the Colts, Rechichar would be a useful utility player, first as a starting defensive back, kicker, and punter, and later filling in as a reserve linebacker, offensive end, and occasional fullback.[23]
Trade to Pittsburgh
As he aged and his speed declined, Rechichar's playing opportunities with the ascending Colts diminished and his dissatisfaction grew.
The trade to Pittsburgh moved Rechichar closer to his home in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania for his tenth season in the NFL.[24] The 30-year old would again be plagued by injury, this time a torn leg muscle that ended his season in November after seeing action in just six games.[25] He would be waived by the Steelers in July 1961, ahead of the team's training camp for their 1961 season.[25]
New York Titans
Rechichar would not be unemployed long, hooking up with the
Rechichar played a total of 99 professional football games, starting in 67.[18] He finished his career with 31 interceptions and 9 fumble recoveries.[18] As a kicker he hit 31 of 88 field goal attempts (35.2%) as well as 62 of 68 extra point tries.[18] He also punted 38 times for the Colts with an average of 37.7 yards per kick and a career long of 56 yards.[18]
Life after football
After his playing career, Rechichar tried his hand at coaching, spending 1964 as coach of the Knoxville Bears of the North American Football League.[28]
Death and legacy
Rechichar had two sons and a daughter.
He died at age 89 in his hometown of
Rechichar is best remembered as one of the best distance placekickers of his day, and not only for the 56-yard kick of 1953 that would stand as an NFL record for 17 years. He was selected to the NFL Pro Bowl three times, particularly distinguishing himself in his third and final appearance in 1957, when he hit field goals from 41, 42, 44, and 52 yards — regarded as remarkable for distance and accuracy in the era before "soccer-style" kicking came to the fore.[29]
Rechichar is also remembered as one of the fiercest competitors in Colts history — "an old school tough guy."[1] When Detroit's Howard "Hopalong" Cassady, a rookie in 1956, once complained to a referee that Rechichar had scratched him while making a particularly rough tackle, Rechichar memorably replied, "Kid, this is the pros, this isn't Ohio State — and we don't scratch up here. We just tear your eyeballs out."[30]
References
- ^ a b c d Barker, Jeff (July 21, 2019). "Ex-Colt Once Held Record for Longest Field Goal". The Baltimore Sun. p. D6. Retrieved March 17, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b c "Bert Rechichar Interview," Vol Network Archive via YouTube.com, Aug. 22, 2022, 19:00 mark.
- ^ "Easy for Rostraver," Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph, Nov. 2, 1947, p. 31.
- ^ See: "Historical Background," Greier v. University of Tennessee, 597 F.2d 1056 (6th Cir. 1979).
- ^ a b c "Soph-Loaded UT Vols Set to Return as SEC Power," The Tennessean, Sept. 18, 1949, p. 5-B.
- ^ "Major Bowl Rosters for New Years' Tilts: Sugar Bowl at New Orleans," The Tennessean, Jan. 1, 1952, p. 12.
- ^ a b "Rechichar is Drafted by Cleveland," Knoxville News-Sentinel, Jan. 1, 1952, p. 26.
- ^ Stan Opotowky, "Alert Maryland Dumps Vols, 28–13 in Sugar Bowl: Terrapins Make Good on Three Early Fumbles," Johnson City [TN] Press, Jan. 2, 1952, p. 6.
- ^ a b Ed Harris, "Rechichar's Replacement to Find Difficult Tasks," Knoxville Journal, Sept. 10, 1952, p. 6.
- ^ "Vol Legend Bert Rechichar Passes Away at 89," University of Tennessee Athletic Department, utsports.com/ July 21, 2019.
- ^ Eight Lettermen Missing from '52 Baseball Club," Knoxville Journal, Feb. 8, 1953, p. 18.
- ^ a b "Bert Rechichar,"Baseball Reference, www.baseball-reference.com/
- ^ a b " Rechichar to Try Out with Indians," Salem [OH] News, Jan. 16, 1953, p. 11.
- ^ a b c Tom Anderson, "From Up Close," Knoxville Journal, July 7, 1953, p. 9.
- ^ a b John Steadman, Among Tough, Talented, Rechichar was a Natural," Baltimore Sun, November 16, 1997.
- ^ "Pair of College All-Stars Join Up with Browns Team," Urbana Daily Citizen, Aug. 19, 1952, p. 6.
- ^ a b "Paul Brown Praises Bert Rechichar," Salem [OH] News, Aug. 20, 1952, p. 10.
- ^ a b c d e f "Bert Rechichar," Pro Football Reference, www.pro-football-reference.com/
- ^ a b c James Ellis, "Colts Acquire Agganis, Nine Others in 15-Player Trade," Baltimore Evening Sun, March 25, 1953, p. 54.
- ^ a b c John F. Steadman, From Colts to Ravents: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Baltimore Professional Football. Centreville, MD: Tidewater Publishers, 1997; pp. 122–123.
- ^ a b Cameron C. Snyder, "Bert Rechichar Stars as Colts Defeat Bears, 13–9: Kicks 55-Yard Field Goal for Record," Baltimore Sun, Sept. 28, 1953, p. 17.
- ^ James Ellis, "Bert Rechichar is No. 1 Standout as Colts' Defensive Unit Shines," Baltimore Evening Sun, Sept. 28, 1953, p. 23.
- ^ a b c d e Walter Taylor, "Rechichar Traded for Steeler Pick," Baltimore Evening Sun, July 13, 1960, p. 41.
- ^ United Press International, "Steelers Acquire Bert Rechichar," Latrobe [PA] Bulletin, July 13, 1960, p. 20.
- ^ a b "Bert Rechichar Up for Waivers," Pittsburgh Press, July 11, 1961, p. 25.
- ^ "Rechichar Joins New York Titans," Baltimore Sun, July 19, 1961, p. 19.
- ^ Associated Press, "Rechichar to Play and Coach Titans," Gettysburg Times, Aug. 30, 1961, p. 5.
- ^ Ed Nichols, "Shore Sports," [Salisbury, MD] Daily Times, Feb. 27, 1965, p. 6.
- ^ Jim Ellis, "Another Viewpoint," Baltimore Evening Sun, Jan. 16, 1960, p. 10.
- ^ John F. Steadman, The Baltimore Colts Story. Baltimore: Pressbox Publishers, 1958; pp. 108–109.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference (Minors)
- "Bert Rechichar Interview," VFL Films, 2010. (Video.)