Bert Rechichar facts for kids
1952 Bowman football card
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| No. 15, 44 | |||
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| Position: | Defensive back, kicker | ||
| Personal information | |||
| Born: | July 16, 1930 Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania |
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| Died: | July 19, 2019 (aged 89) Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania |
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| Career information | |||
| High school: | Rostraver (PA) | ||
| College: | Tennessee | ||
| NFL Draft: | 1952 / Round: 1 / Pick: 10 | ||
| Career history | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||
Albert Daniel (Bert) Rechichar (born July 16, 1930 – died July 19, 2019) was a talented American football player. He was known for playing as a defensive back and a kicker. Bert played for several teams in the National Football League (NFL). These included the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts, and Pittsburgh Steelers. He played from 1952 to 1960. He also played for the New York Titans in the American Football League in 1961.
In 1953, while playing for the Colts, Rechichar kicked a 56-yard field goal. This set a new NFL record for the longest field goal. His record stood for 17 years! He was also chosen twice to play in the NFL Pro Bowl.
Contents
Bert Rechichar's Early Life
Bert Rechichar was born in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania. He was the youngest of ten children in his family. Bert loved sports from a young age.
College Sports Career
Rechichar went to the University of Tennessee for college. He played college football there. He was also an outfielder on the baseball team. In 1951, he helped his baseball team reach the 1951 College World Series. After college, he even played baseball in the minor leagues for a short time.
Bert's NFL Football Career
Bert Rechichar was a top player coming out of college. He was chosen tenth overall in the 1952 NFL Draft. The Cleveland Browns picked him first.
Record-Breaking Kick
On September 27, 1953, Rechichar made history. He was playing for the Baltimore Colts against the Chicago Bears. He kicked a 56-yard field goal. This kick broke the old record! It was amazing because it was his very first field goal attempt as a professional player.
A sportswriter named John Steadman wrote about the kick. He said Rechichar "drove the kick clear over the back line from 56 yards." He did this while wearing a regular football shoe, not a special kicking shoe. Bert also had a great game that day. He caught three passes from the other team, called interceptions. One of these he ran 36 yards for a touchdown!
His record for the longest field goal lasted for more than 17 years. It was finally broken in 1970 by Tom Dempsey, who kicked a 63-yard field goal.
Bert's Later Life
Bert Rechichar had two sons and one daughter. He passed away in his hometown of Belle Vernon in 2019. He was 89 years old.
See also
- List of American Football League players
