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Zeke Bratkowski facts for kids

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Zeke Bratkowski
refer to caption
Bratkowski in June 2008.
No. 12
Position: Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1931-10-20)October 20, 1931
Danville, Illinois, U.S.
Died: November 11, 2019(2019-11-11) (aged 88)
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, U.S.
Height: 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight: 210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school: Danville (IL) Schlarman
College: Georgia
NFL Draft: 1953 / Round: 2 / Pick: 17
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Pass attempts: 1,484
Pass completions: 762
Percentage: 51.3
TD–INT: 65–122
Passing yards: 10,345
Passer rating: 54.3
Player stats at NFL.com
Coaching stats at PFR

Edmund Raymond "Zeke" Bratkowski (October 20, 1931 – November 11, 2019) was an American football player. He played as a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He played for the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Rams, and Green Bay Packers.

He was an All-American player in college football for the Georgia Bulldogs. After playing, he became an assistant coach in the NFL for over 20 years. His son, Bob Bratkowski, also became a football coach.

Early Life and College Football

Zeke grew up in Westville, Illinois. He played high school football at Schlarman Academy in Danville. He graduated in 1949.

He became well-known in his second year at the University of Georgia in Athens in 1951. He led the SEC in passing twice. His coach was Wally Butts. In his three years with the Bulldogs, he threw for 4,863 yards. He completed 360 passes.

Many people thought Zeke was one of the best college quarterbacks of his time. He held the NCAA record for most passing yards until 1961. Today, he is still among Georgia's top career passing leaders. Zeke also led the NCAA in punting in 1953. He averaged 42.6 yards per punt. He played in the North–South All-Star Game in Miami, Florida. He helped the South win 20–0.

Playing in the NFL

The Chicago Bears picked Bratkowski in the 1953 NFL draft. He was the 17th player chosen. He joined the Bears as a rookie in 1954. In his first game, he threw a 64-yard touchdown pass. He later threw many interceptions that season. He set a team rookie record with 17 interceptions.

Zeke then served in the United States Air Force for two years. He missed the 1955 and 1956 seasons. He came back to the Bears in 1957. He played five seasons in Chicago. In a game on October 2, 1960, he threw seven interceptions. This is still a team record.

In 1961, Bratkowski was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. He played there for two and a half seasons. In October 1963, Vince Lombardi signed him for the Green Bay Packers. He became the main backup for Bart Starr. In Green Bay, people called him "Uncle Zekie." He was a great backup quarterback during the Packers' championship years. In his 15-year NFL career, he threw for 10,345 yards and 65 touchdowns.

In the 1965 Western Conference playoff game, Starr got hurt. Bratkowski stepped in and led the Packers to a 13–10 overtime win. This game was against the Baltimore Colts on December 26 at Lambeau Field. The Packers then won the 1965 NFL Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns. This was the first of three NFL titles in a row for the Packers. This was a rare achievement in football history.

After playing, Bratkowski became an assistant coach for the Packers in 1969 and 1970. He came out of retirement to play again for the Packers in 1971. He played in six games that year. In 1973, he was an assistant coach for the Chicago Bears. He was also an emergency backup quarterback for eight games, but he did not play.

Zeke was a very fit athlete. He was one of the first to support aerobic training for football players.

Coaching Career

After his playing days, Bratkowski became a coach. He coached quarterbacks and was an offensive coordinator. He worked for the Chicago Bears, Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Jets. He also had two coaching stints with the Green Bay Packers and worked for the Baltimore Ravens.

Death

Zeke Bratkowski passed away at his home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. He died on November 11, 2019, from a heart attack. He was 88 years old.

Halls of Fame

Zeke Bratkowski is a member of many halls of fame.

  • In 1980, he was inducted into the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
  • In 1989, he was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.
  • In 1995, he was elected to the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.
  • In 2006, he was inducted into the University of Georgia's Circle of Honor.
  • In 1974, he was the first person inducted into his high school's Hall of Fame.

See also

  • List of college football yearly passing leaders
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