Tom Yewcic facts for kids
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| Position: | Quarterback | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | May 9, 1932 Conemaugh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
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| Died: | October 20, 2020 (aged 88) Arlington, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 185 lb (84 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| College: | Michigan State | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1954 / Round: 27 / Pick: 319 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| Tom Yewcic | |||
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| Catcher | |||
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| debut | |||
| June 27, 1957, for the Detroit Tigers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| June 27, 1957, for the Detroit Tigers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .000 | ||
| Games played | 1 | ||
| At bats | 1 | ||
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Thomas J. Yewcic (born May 9, 1932 – died October 21, 2020) was an amazing American athlete. He played both American football and Major League Baseball. In football, he was a quarterback (the player who throws the ball) and a punter (the player who kicks the ball far downfield). He played for the Boston Patriots from 1961 to 1966. He was even named to the Patriots All-1960s team! In baseball, he played one game for the Detroit Tigers in 1957. Tom Yewcic went to Michigan State University, where he was a star in both sports.
Football Career Highlights
Tom Yewcic was a key player for the Boston Patriots. On November 30, 1962, he helped his team win 24–17 against the New York Titans. He ran for 90 yards in that game, which was his best rushing performance.
As a punter, Yewcic kicked the ball 377 times for a total of 14,553 yards between 1961 and 1966. He also played other positions like flanker (a type of receiver) and running back. He completed 87 passes for 1,374 yards and scored 12 touchdowns by throwing the ball. He also ran the ball 72 times for 424 yards and scored four touchdowns. In 77 regular season games, he caught seven passes for 69 yards.
Yewcic also played in two playoff games. He completed three passes for eight yards and ran for a 10-yard gain. He punted 14 times for a total of 523 yards in those games, with his longest playoff punt being 68 yards.
He had some impressive long plays during his career. His longest run was 46 yards in a game against the Denver Broncos in 1963. His longest catch was also 46 yards, in a game against the Broncos in 1961. Yewcic's longest punt was an amazing 70 yards in a game against the New York Jets in 1965. He holds a team record for the longest run by a punter, with a 20-yard gain in 1962.
Tom Yewcic shares a record with Chris Hanson for having four games where he only punted once. In 1965, he had his best punting average, kicking the ball 40.7 yards per punt. Interestingly, Yewcic and Tom Brady are the only Patriots players who have punted, thrown a touchdown pass, caught a pass, and run for a touchdown!
After he stopped playing, Yewcic became an assistant coach for the Patriots. He also coached college and semi-pro football. A football stadium at Conemaugh Valley High School is named after him, which is a great honor!
Baseball Career Highlights
Tom Yewcic was also a talented baseball player. While at Michigan State, he was named the College World Series Most Outstanding Player in 1954. This was special because his team didn't even win the championship that year!
After college, he signed with the Detroit Tigers. He played in the minor leagues starting in 1954. On June 27, 1957, he played one game as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers in the "big leagues." He came into the game in the sixth inning as a defensive replacement. He caught for the last three innings of the game. He came to bat once in the seventh inning but was popped out (hit the ball high in the air, caught by an infielder). After 1959, he decided to focus on football.
College Achievements
Tom Yewcic is the only player ever to win a Rose Bowl in football and also be named the College World Series Most Valuable Player in baseball, all in the same year!
He was honored by Michigan State University, being inducted into their Athletics Hall of Fame in 2003. He was also named the MSU Baseball Distinguished Alumnus of the Year in 2013.
Yewcic was a star quarterback for the Michigan State Spartans in 1952 and 1953. In 1952, he led them to an undefeated season and a national championship! In 1953, he helped them win their first-ever Big Ten Championship and their first Rose Bowl game.
In the spring of 1954, he was a first-team All-American catcher for the baseball team. He helped them win their first Big Ten title and reach the College World Series for the first time. The team finished third in the College World Series, and Yewcic was named the MVP for his amazing performance. He was the first player from his school to be named a first-team All-American in baseball.
In football, Yewcic was also an All-American in 1952. He completed 41 passes for 941 yards and 10 touchdowns that season, which was a school record at the time. In his first game as a starting quarterback, he led his team to a 27-13 win against Michigan. He was also one of the first Spartan quarterbacks to throw for over 200 yards in a game.
He finished his college football career with 18 touchdown passes and 1,480 passing yards. During his three years on the team, the Spartans had an incredible record of 27 wins and only 1 loss. He was also the starting punter for MSU from 1951 to 1953, averaging 38.7 yards per punt.
See also
- List of American Football League players
