Leo Rucka facts for kids
Rucka on a 1954 Bowman football card
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| Position: | Linebacker |
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| Personal information | |
| Born: | August 18, 1931 Wooster, Texas |
| Died: | January 4, 2016 (aged 84) Crosby, Texas |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight: | 212 lb (96 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Crosby (TX) |
| College: | Rice |
| NFL Draft: | 1954 / Round: 2 / Pick: 23 |
| Career history | |
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| Player stats at PFR | |
Leopold Victor "Leo" Rucka (born August 18, 1931 – died January 4, 2016) was an American professional football player. He played as a Linebacker and Center for the San Francisco 49ers during the 1956 NFL season. He was chosen in the second round of the 1954 NFL Draft.
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Who Was Leo Rucka?
Leo Rucka was a talented athlete who played professional football. He was born in Wooster, an area near Baytown, Texas, on August 18, 1931. He lived in Crosby, Texas for most of his life.
Early Life and High School
Leo graduated from Crosby High School (Texas) in 1950. He was a star athlete there. He was great at football, basketball, and many other sports.
College Football Star
After high school, Leo went to Rice University. He was a key player for the Rice Owls football team. In 1996, he was honored by being added to the Rice Football Hall of Fame.
During his senior year, Leo helped his team win a big game. They beat the University of Texas in the final seconds. This win earned them the Southwest Conference title. He said this was his "biggest college thrill." He also helped lead the team as a co-captain. They won the Cotton Bowl Championship in 1954 against Alabama.
Playing in the NFL
Leo was picked 23rd overall in the 1954 NFL Draft. This was out of 360 players chosen that year. He played for the San Francisco 49ers in 1956. He played in five NFL games. During his time in the NFL, he was 6 feet 3 inches tall and weighed 212 pounds. His teammates called him "The Quiet Man."
Serving His Country
Leo left the NFL to join the Army. He served as an aviation engineer. He spent 20 months in the Far East during the Korean War. He was even named to the All-Service Team.
Later Life
Leo was married to his wife, Lillian Rucka, for over 60 years. They had five children, eleven grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren. Leo Rucka passed away on January 4, 2016.
