Alex Wojciechowicz facts for kids
Wojciechowicz (bottom) in 1946
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| Position: | Center, linebacker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | August 12, 1915 South River, New Jersey, U.S. |
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| Died: | July 13, 1992 (aged 76) Forked River, New Jersey, U.S. |
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| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | South River (NJ) | ||||||||
| College: | Fordham | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1938 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6 | ||||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Alexander Francis "Wojie" Wojciechowicz (born August 12, 1915 – died July 13, 1992) was an American football player. He played in the National Football League (NFL) from 1938 to 1950. Wojciechowicz was a "two-way player." This means he played both offense and defense. He was a center on offense and a linebacker on defense.
He is famous for being in both the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame. He also helped start the NFL Alumni Association. This group helps former NFL players. He was also the third player to get the special Order of the Leather Helmet award.
Wojciechowicz played college football for the Fordham Rams. He was part of a famous offensive line called the "Seven Blocks of Granite." He was considered one of the best college players in the country in 1936 and 1937.
After college, the Detroit Lions picked him in the 1938 NFL Draft. He played for the Lions until 1946. Then, he joined the Philadelphia Eagles and played there until 1950. With the Eagles, he won two NFL championships in 1948 and 1949.
Contents
Early Life and High School
Alex Wojciechowicz was born in 1915 in South River, New Jersey. He went to South River High School. His father, Andrew Wojciechowicz, was an immigrant from Poland. He worked as a tailor.
College Football Star
In 1935, Wojciechowicz started playing college football at Fordham University. He was the center for the Fordham Rams football team. He was part of a legendary offensive line. This line was known as the "Seven Blocks of Granite." Even Vince Lombardi, a famous coach, played on this line.
The 1937 Fordham team was amazing. They didn't lose any games, with a 7–0–1 record. They were ranked #3 in the country. Their defense was incredibly strong, giving up only 16 points all season. Wojciechowicz was recognized as one of the best college centers in 1936 and 1937.
Fordham's coach, Jim Crowley, praised Wojciechowicz. He called him "one of the great defensive centers." He also said Wojciechowicz "seldom made a bad pass." Wojciechowicz was especially known for his games against Pittsburgh. These games ended in three scoreless ties in a row. The 1937 tie was the only game the national champion Pitt team didn't win. Wojciechowicz said these games were his biggest thrills. He felt they showed what football was all about.
Playing in the NFL
Detroit Lions Years
The Detroit Lions chose Wojciechowicz in the first round of the 1938 NFL Draft. He was the sixth player picked overall. He joined the Lions in July 1938. For nine years, he was a key player for the Lions. He was an "iron man," playing both offense and defense for the entire game.
He was named a first-team All-NFL player in 1939 and 1944. In 1944, he had seven interceptions. This was a Lions record at the time. Between 1938 and 1946, he played in 86 games for the Lions. The Pro Football Hall of Fame described him as "all business." They noted his strong tackling as a linebacker. In October 1946, the Lions released him. He said he wasn't disappointed.
Philadelphia Eagles Championships
Just two days after leaving the Lions, the Philadelphia Eagles bought his contract. He played seven games for the Eagles in 1946. In 1947, he became the Eagles' main center. He played in all 12 games that season. The 1947 Eagles won their division. However, they lost the championship game.
In 1948, Wojciechowicz played mostly on defense. The 1948 Eagles team won the NFL Championship. They shut out the Cardinals in the final game. In 1949, he played in all 12 games again. The Eagles won their second straight NFL championship. They beat the Rams in the championship game.
Even though he was older when he joined the Eagles, he played great defense. His teammate, Jack Hinkle, called him the "toughest guy" on the team. Hinkle said he looked like a "sad-eyed St. Bernard" but would "rip your head off." In 1950, he played his last NFL season. He announced his retirement in December 1950.
Life After Football and Honors
Alex Wojciechowicz was married to Katherine Mallen. They had three sons and one daughter. After retiring from football, he worked as a real estate appraiser and broker. He lived in Wanamassa, New Jersey for many years.
Wojciechowicz was a founder of the NFL Alumni Association. This group was created to help former players get pension plans. He became its president in 1968. His son said he worked hard to help players in need.
After his football career, he received many awards:
- In 1955, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
- In 1968, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A newspaper said he was one of the few players to play so well for so long.
- In 1969, he was chosen for the National Football League 1940s All-Decade Team. This means he was one of the best players of the 1940s.
- In 1970, he was one of the first five people inducted into the Fordham University Athletic Hall of Fame.
- In 1975, he was inducted into the National Polish American Sports Hall of Fame.
- In 1982, he received the special NFL Alumni Order of the Leather Helmet. Only two other players had received it before him.
- In 1987, he was inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame.
Wojciechowicz passed away in 1992 at his home in Forked River, New Jersey, at age 76.
