Bob St. Clair facts for kids
St. Clair in June 2009
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| No. 79 | |||||||
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| Position: | Tackle | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | February 18, 1931 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
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| Died: | April 20, 2015 (aged 84) Santa Rosa, California, U.S. |
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| Height: | 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 263 lb (119 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | San Francisco Polytechnic | ||||||
| College: | Tulsa | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1953 / Round: 3 / Pick: 32 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Robert Bruce St. Clair (February 18, 1931 – April 20, 2015) was an American professional football player. He played as a tackle for the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League (NFL). His teammates called him "The Geek" because of his unique personality.
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Bob St. Clair's Football Journey
Bob St. Clair had a very special football career. He might be the only NFL player to play almost his entire career in the same city and stadium. He played at all levels in San Francisco, from high school to professional football.
Early Football Years in San Francisco
St. Clair went to San Francisco Polytechnic High School. This school was right across the street from Kezar Stadium. He then played college football at the University of San Francisco. He was part of their amazing undefeated team in 1951.
After the University of San Francisco stopped its football program, St. Clair finished his college career. He played for the University of Tulsa.
Playing for the San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers picked St. Clair in the 1953 NFL Draft. He then played his entire professional career with the 49ers. He stayed in San Francisco until he retired before the 1964 season.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame says St. Clair was very good at blocking kicks. In 1956, he blocked 10 field goals! This was a huge achievement.
Honoring a Local Legend
In 2001, the city of San Francisco honored Bob St. Clair. They renamed the field at Kezar Stadium after him. This was a tribute to his 17 seasons and 189 home games played there. He was chosen for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. This is a very high honor for football players.
Bob St. Clair's Life Beyond Football
Bob St. Clair was not just a football star. He also served his community in politics.
A Player in Politics
While he was still playing football, St. Clair was elected to the city council in Daly City, California. This happened in 1958. He even served as the mayor of Daly City from 1961 to 1962. One of his colleagues on the council was his old high school coach, Joe Verducci.
Later, he became a county supervisor for San Mateo County, California. He held this position from 1966 to 1974. For many years, he also owned a local business in San Francisco that still carries his name.
Bringing Basketball to Daly City
During St. Clair's time as mayor, a major basketball team moved to Daly City. The Philadelphia Warriors of the National Basketball Association moved to the Cow Palace. They became the San Francisco Warriors.
The team later moved to Oakland in 1971. They changed their name to the Golden State Warriors. In 1975, the Warriors won games 2 and 3 of the 1975 NBA Finals at the Cow Palace. They went on to win the championship that year.
Later Life and Legacy
Bob St. Clair passed away on April 20, 2015, in Santa Rosa, California. He was 84 years old. He had broken his hip in February 2015, and complications led to his death.
Bob St. Clair is remembered as a talented football player. He was also a dedicated public servant and a true San Francisco legend.
