Bob Schnelker

Last updated

Bob Schnelker
No. 85, 88
Position: Tight end
Personal information
Born:(1928-10-17)October 17, 1928
Galion, Ohio, U.S.
Died:December 12, 2016(2016-12-12) (aged 88)
Naples, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:214 lb (97 kg)
Career information
High school: Upper Sandusky
(Upper Sandusky, Ohio)
College: Bowling Green
NFL draft: 1950: 29th round, 377th pick
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:211
Receiving yards:3,667
Receiving touchdowns:33
Stats at Pro Football Reference
Coaching profile  at Pro Football Reference

Robert Bernard Schnelker (October 17, 1928 – December 12, 2016) was an American professional football player and coach in the National Football League (NFL). He played as a tight end for nine seasons, primarily with the New York Giants. He later served as a coach for several NFL teams for over 20 seasons.

Contents

Playing career

Schnelker played college football at Bowling Green State University. He was named as an All-Ohio end twice while also playing on the track and field team. He was inducted into the program's athletic Hall of Fame as part of their first class in 1964. [1] [2]

He was selected in the 29th round of the 1950 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. He served in the Marines before being discharged a few years later, where the Philadelphia Eagles picked him up for their roster before he was traded to the New York Giants. Schnelker was a two-time Pro Bowler and a member of the 1956 NFL Champion Giants. As a member of the expansion team Minnesota Vikings in 1961, he caught the first touchdown pass in the first game played by the team from Fran Tarkenton. [3]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Won the NFL championship
Led the league
BoldCareer high

Regular season

YearTeamGamesReceiving
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTD
1953 PHI 834348.5120
1954 NYG 12123055018.3688
1955 NYG 12122532613.0312
1956 NYG 125912213.6191
1957 NYG 1292045022.5705
1958 NYG 12122446019.2635
1959 NYG 11113771419.3666
1960 NYG 12113861016.1702
1961 MIN 6667011.7201
PIT 861833118.4593
105872113,66717.47033

Playoffs

YearTeamGamesReceiving
GPGSRecYdsAvgLngTD
1956 NYG 10000.000
1958 NYG 22410927.3460
1959 NYG 11917519.4481
431328421.8481

Coaching Career

After retiring from football, Schnelker was an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. It was with the Vikings that led to a memorable moment from head coach Jerry Burns, who leapt to Schnelker's defense as a coordinator in a profanity-laced tirade after a 23–21 win (a game that saw Rich Karlis make seven field goals before a game-clinching safety happened in overtime) in the 1989 season had plenty of criticism heaped onto Schnelker from Minnesota fans. [3]

Personal life

Schnelker died from complications of cancer on December 12, 2016, in Naples, Florida. [4] He was survived by three grandchildren, a daughter, and a brother. [5]

References

  1. "Robert Schnelker (1964) - Hall of Fame". Bowling Green State University Athletics. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  2. "Bob Schnelker, Member of Inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame Class, Passes Away".
  3. 1 2 Reusse, Patrick (December 15, 2016). "The day that Burnsie went bonkers in defense of Bob Schnelker". www.startribune.com. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  4. Patrick (PJ) Reusse [@1500ESPN_Reusse] (December 14, 2016). "Bob Schnelker has died at 88. Target of fans as OC for Burnsie; also Tarkenton's target for first TD in Vikings history" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  5. "Former Packers assistant coach Bob Schnelker dies at 88". www.packers.com. Retrieved September 5, 2024.