Leo Sugar facts for kids
| Date of birth: | April 6, 1929 |
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| Place of birth: | Flint, Michigan |
| Date of death: | September 23, 2020 (aged 91) |
| Place of death: | Fort Myers, Florida |
Quick facts for kids
Career information
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| Position(s): | Defensive end |
| College: | Purdue |
| High school: | Flint Northern (Flint, Michigan) |
| NFL Draft: | 1952 / Round: 11 / Pick: 123 |
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Organizations
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Career highlights and awards
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| Pro Bowls: | 2 (1958, 1960) |
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Career stats
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| Playing stats at NFL.com | |
Leo Tateusz Sugar (born April 6, 1929 – died September 23, 2020) was an American professional football player. He played as a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). Leo Sugar played for several teams, including the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Eagles, and the Detroit Lions. He was a very talented player and was chosen to play in two Pro Bowl games during his nine-year career.
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Leo Sugar's Early Life and College Years
Leo Sugar was born in Flint, Michigan. He loved sports from a young age. In high school, he played both football and basketball for the Flint Northern Vikings. He also played baseball on a local American Legion team.
After high school, Leo Sugar went to Purdue University. He played college football for the Purdue Boilermakers. He was an amazing defensive end there. He was even named an All-Big Ten Defensive End. This means he was one of the best defensive players in his college conference.
College Achievements
Leo Sugar's skills in college football were widely recognized.
- He was chosen to play in the College All-Star Game. This was a special game where the best college players played against a professional NFL team.
- In 1951, he was named to the All-American team. This honor means he was considered one of the very best college football players in the entire country.
His excellent performance in college led him to be drafted into the NFL. He was picked in the eleventh round of the 1952 NFL Draft.
Playing in the National Football League
Leo Sugar began his professional football career in 1954. He played as a defensive end, a position where players try to stop the opposing team's offense. He played for several teams during his time in the NFL.
Teams Leo Sugar Played For
- Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals: Leo Sugar played for the Cardinals from 1954 to 1960. The team was known as the Chicago Cardinals and later moved to become the St. Louis Cardinals. He spent most of his career with this team.
- Philadelphia Eagles: In 1961, he played for the Philadelphia Eagles.
- Detroit Lions: His final season was in 1962 with the Detroit Lions.
Pro Bowl Selections
One of the biggest highlights of Leo Sugar's career was being selected for the Pro Bowl twice.
- He was chosen for the Pro Bowl in 1958.
- He was chosen again in 1960.
The Pro Bowl is an annual game where the best players from the NFL's two conferences play against each other. Being selected is a big honor and shows how good a player is.
Later Life
Leo Sugar had a successful nine-year career in professional football. After he stopped playing, he lived a long life. He passed away in September 2020 at the age of 91.
