Charlie Krueger
| No. 70 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | January 28, 1937 Caldwell, Texas, U.S. | ||||
| Died: | February 5, 2021 (aged 84) Clayton, California, U.S. | ||||
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 256 lb (116 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Caldwell (TX) | ||||
| College: | Texas A&M | ||||
| NFL draft: | 1958 / Round: 1 / Pick: 8 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||
| |||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||
| |||||
| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||
Charles Andrew Krueger (January 28, 1937 – February 5, 2021) was an American professional
Early life
Born and raised in
His younger brother, Rolf Krueger, also played college football at Texas A&M and in the NFL.[2]
College career
Krueger played college football at Texas A&M. Under head coach Bear Bryant,[3] his teammates included 1957 Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow, future NFL All-Pro linebacker and coach Jack Pardee, and future Aggie coach Gene Stallings. Krueger received All-Southwest Conference (SWC) and All-American honors for the 1956 and 1957 seasons. He was part of the 1956 Aggies team that won the SWC championship. After his senior season, he played as captain of the 1958 College All-Star team, which defeated the Detroit Lions 35–19.
Krueger was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame in 1972 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983.[4] He was also included in the SWC 50-year team which covered the 1919–68 seasons.[1]
NFL career
Krueger was selected ninth overall in the
Krueger wore number 70 and his
Krueger's 15-year tenure with the 49ers is tied with Len Rohde for fourth in team history, behind John Brodie, Jerry Rice, and Jimmy Johnson.[citation needed]
Krueger was inducted into the National Football Foundation Hall of Fame in 1983, and the 49ers Hall of Fame in 2009.[1]
After retirement
At age 51 in 1988, Krueger was awarded more than $2.3 million in damages stemming from a lawsuit against the San Francisco 49ers. The judge found that Krueger received repeated anesthetic injections during his NFL career so that he could continue to play in spite of significant knee injuries. The decision found that the 49ers were not truthful with Krueger regarding the seriousness of his injuries, which left him with severe chronic pain after his playing days.[5][9]
From 1960 to his death, Krueger lived in Clayton, California where he was involved with charitable organizations. He suffered health problems in his later years that prevented him from enjoying the outdoors.[2] In 2014, he was inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame.[1]
He died at the age of 84 on February 5, 2021, following heart and kidney failure, eight days after his birthday.[10] He was survived by his wife of 48 years, Kristin Adler Krueger.[10]
References
- ^ a b c d e Marquardt, Brad (February 8, 2021). "Hall of Famer Charlie Krueger Passes Away". Texas A&M Athletic Department. Retrieved February 9, 2021.
- ^ a b c Werner, John (February 21, 2014). "Hall of Fame profile: Ex-Aggie DL Charlie Krueger 'would knock your brains out'". Waco Tribune-Herald. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ Charlie Krueger at the College Football Hall of Fame
- ^ a b "'Textbook Tackle' Dies at 84". February 7, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ a b Padwe, Sandy (June 27, 1988). "When Trust is Betrayed: Charlie Krueger Gave the 49ers More Than They Deserved". Sports Illustrated. p. 80. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ "Charlie Krueger". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ a b "San Francisco 49ers 2020 Media Guide" (PDF). Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ "Rolf Krueger". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
- ^ Pierson, Don (June 3, 1988). "Crippled Former 49er Wins $2.36 Million for 'Concealed' Injury". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 31, 2018.
- ^ a b Branch, Eric (February 5, 2021). "49ers' Hall of Famer Charlie Krueger, rugged defensive tackle, dies at 84". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
External links
- Texas A&M Athletics – Hall of Fame – Charlie Krueger
- Career statistics and player information from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference