Bill Priatko

Last updated

Bill Priatko
No. 64
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1931-10-16) October 16, 1931 (age 92)
North Braddock, Pennsylvania
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Scott (PA)
College: Pittsburgh
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Player stats at PFR

William Daniel Priatko (born October 16, 1931) is a former American football linebacker who played college football for Pittsburgh and professional football in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1957. He appeared in two NFL games.

Contents

Early life

Priatko was born in 1931 in North Braddock, Pennsylvania, [1] and attended North Braddock Scott High School. [2]

From 1951 to 1953, he played college football as a tackle and guars for the Pittsburgh Panthers, though his collegiate career was plagued by injuries. [3] [4] [5]

Priatko later served in the Air Force and played for the Bolling Air Force football team in 1956. [6] [7]

Professional football

Priatko had been drafted by the Green Bay Packers after graduating from Pitt but his professional football career was postponed due to military service. He was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers as a linebacker in December 1957. [8] [9] He appeared in the last two games of the 1957 season for the Steelers. [1] [10]

He tried out with the Cleveland Browns in both 1959 and 1960, but did not make the regular season roster. [11] His playing career ended due to knee injuries. [12]

Later years

Priatko later worked for the athletic department at Robert Morris College. [13] Priatko worked in the food and beverage department at Kennywood Park for numerous summers following his retirement. He often worked at the former Soda Fountain concession stand, serving burgers, and spreading positivity to Kennywood’s employees and guests. Bill remains active, with a daily regimen of 150 push ups. He is also still heavily involved in the local football programs and has recently been invited by Art Rooney to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Franco Harris’ Immaculate Reception.

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References

  1. 1 2 "Bill Priatko Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Bill Priatko To Be Guest Speaker". The Daily Republican. September 20, 1968. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Panther Gridders Lose Tackle Bill Priatko: Back Injury Puts Defensive Star Out for Season". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. October 12, 1951 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "Bill Priatko Back in Shape". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 20, 1952. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Pitt Guard Injures Leg In Initial Practice: Bill Priatko Told to Say Out of Uniform For Few Days, Takes Heat Treatment". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 2, 1953 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Sports Stew". The Pittsburgh Press. December 6, 1956 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Bolling's Lineup Loaded With Ex-College Greats". Daily Press. November 1, 1956. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "McCabe, Priatko Rejoin Steelers". The Sacramento Bee. December 11, 1957 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "Steelers Sign Priatko, McCabe". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. December 11, 1957 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "Bill Priatko". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  11. ↑ "McClung, Priatko Sliced By Browns". The Sandusky Register. September 14, 1960 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "'Secretary of defense' has loyal pal-adviser in N. Huntingdon". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 29, 2008. pp. EZ-1, EZ-4 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ↑ Phil Musick (May 29, 1986). "Family feels courage as Danny struggles to recover". The Pittsburgh Press. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
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