Joe Blahak
No. 27, 21 | |||||||
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Position: | Cornerback | ||||||
Personal information | |||||||
Born: | Columbus, Nebraska, U.S. | August 29, 1950||||||
Died: | April 25, 2016 Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S. | (aged 65)||||||
Height: | 5 ft 9 in (1.75 m) | ||||||
Weight: | 187 lb (85 kg) | ||||||
Career information | |||||||
High school: | Columbus (NE) Scotus Central | ||||||
College: | Nebraska | ||||||
NFL draft: | 1973 / Round: 8 / Pick: 183 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
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Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
Joseph Philip Blahak (August 29, 1950 – April 25, 2016) was an American professional football player who was a defensive back in the National Football League (NFL).[1] He played for the Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New England Patriots. He played college football at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln under head coach Bob Devaney, and was a member of the 1970 and 1971 undefeated national championship teams.
Early years
Born and raised in Columbus, Nebraska, Blahak played football for its Scotus Central Catholic High School and graduated in 1969.[2]
Collegiate career
During his junior season at Nebraska in 1971, #27 Blahak was involved in a controversial play on national television. In the first quarter of the "
In his senior season in 1972, Nebraska finished fourth and won a third consecutive Orange Bowl, defeating Notre Dame, 40–6. In his three seasons as a starter on the NU varsity,[13] the Huskers were 33–2–2 (.919).
NFL career
Blahak was one of ten Huskers selected in the
Personal life
On November 28, 1970, he married Diane Melliger of Columbus and they had three children.[2] After his NFL career, he returned to Lincoln and worked for an insurance company. He died suddenly at age 65 of an apparent heart attack.[17]
Awards
- 1st team All-Big Eight, 1971
- AP and UPI 2nd-team All-American, 1972
References
- ^ "Ex-Husker Joe Blahak, who threw key block for Rodgers, dies". USA Today. Associated Press. 25 April 2016. Retrieved 26 April 2016.
- ^ a b "Joseph Blahak Obituary". roperandsons.com. Roper & Sons. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
- ^ Jenkins, Dan (December 6, 1971). "Nebraska rides high". Sports Illustrated. p. 22.
- ^ "#76: Johnny on the spot". SI.com. (100 greatest moments in sports history). March 2, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
- ^ York, Randy (April 25, 2016). "Joe Blahak, star on two national championship teams, dies". University of Nebraska Athletics. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
- ^ Babcock, Mike, Michael Babcock, Trev Albert. "Go Big Red: The Complete Fan's Guide to Nebraska Football". 1998: Macmillan. p.155
- ^ Babcock, Mike. "Stadium Stories: Nebraska Cornhuskers: Colorful Tales of the Scarlet and Cream". 2004: Globe Pequot. p.76
- ^ Reed, Delbert (January 2, 1972). "Cornhuskers kill Crimson Tide dream, 38-6". Tuscaloosa News. (Alabama). p. 1B.
- ^ "Nebraska rips Tide, still No. 1". Spokesman-Review. (Spokane, Washington). Associated Press. January 2, 1972. p. 1, sports.
- ^ Jenkins, Dan (January 10, 1972). "All yours, Nebraska". Sports Illustrated: 8.
- ^ Wire services. "'Huskers maul Tide 38-6". St. Petersburg Times. 2 January 1972
- ^ "Huskers solid No. 1". Reading Eagle. (Pennsylvania). Associated Press. January 4, 1972. p. 20.
- ^ Kaipust, Rich (April 26, 2016). "Infectious personality made Joe Blahak a leader for Huskers". Omaha World Herald. Retrieved January 6, 2017.
- ^ "Bay Buc Draftees". St. Petersburg Times. 1 April 1976
- ^ Zier, Patrick. "Bucs' McKay is Ready, But How About Team?" The Lakeland Ledger. 25 September 1976
- ^ Wire Reports. "Simpson, Dolphins Collide". The Boca Raton News. 2 December 1976
- ^ Enterprises, Lee (April 25, 2016). "Blahak remembered for fun-loving spirit". The Columbus Telegram. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
External links
- Husker Max - interview with Joe Blahak - 2004
- Joe Blahak at Find a Grave
- Career statistics and player information from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference ·