Bob Skoronski

Last updated

Bob Skoronski
Bob Skoronski.jpg
No. 76
Position Tackle
Center
Uniform no.76
High school Derby
(Derby, Connecticut)
Fairfield Prep
(Fairfield, Connecticut)
College Indiana
NFL draft 1956: 5th round, 56th overall
Personal information
Born(1934-03-05)March 5, 1934
Ansonia, Connecticut, U.S.
DiedOctober 30, 2018(2018-10-30) (aged 84)
Middleton, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight249 lb (113 kg)
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career statistics
Games played146
Games started124
Fumble recoveries1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Robert Francis Skoronski [1] (March 5, 1934 – October 30, 2018) was an American professional football player who was a tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers for 11 seasons. [2] He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers.

Contents

Early life

Born in Ansonia, Connecticut, Skoronski grew up in Derby [1] with three brothers and a sister. [3] He went to high school at Fairfield College Preparatory School, graduating in 1951. [4] He then attended Admiral Billard Academy in New London for a year. [3] He played college football at Indiana University in Bloomington. [5] As a senior in 1955, he was the Hoosiers' most valuable player and averaged 50 minutes per game. [6]

Playing career

Skoronski was selected in the fifth round of the 1956 NFL draft, 56th overall, by the Green Bay Packers. [7] He started at left tackle in his rookie season in 1956 under third-year head coach Lisle Blackbourn, and then served two years in the U.S. Air Force. [5] [7] Skoronski returned to the team in 1959, the first season under head coach Vince Lombardi. [7]

Skoronski was the offensive left tackle and offensive captain on Lombardi's five NFL championship teams. [7] He played in the Pro Bowl following the 1966 season (and the first Super Bowl). [8]

Following his 11th season in the NFL, Skoronski retired in June 1969, [9] [10] and was elected to the Packers Hall of Fame in 1976. [11] In 2017, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Skoronski to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2017. [12]

Personal life

Skoronski met his wife Ruth in college and they married in 1956. They had four children, three boys and a girl (Bob, Steve, Ron and Patti), and four grandchildren. [3] [4]

He died of Alzheimer's disease on October 30, 2018, in Middleton, Wisconsin. [13] [14] [15]

His grandson, Peter Skoronski, played offensive tackle at Northwestern University and was picked by the Tennessee Titans 11th overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. [16] [17] [18]

References

  1. 1 2 Mayko, Michael P. (November 2018). "Derby's Bob Skoronski, Green Bay Packer legend dies". News Times. Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
  2. ↑ Montgomery, Roger (February 3, 1975). "Bob Skoronski may begin new career". The Day. New London, Connecticut. p. 26.
  3. 1 2 3 Mayko, Michael P. (November 2018). "Derby's Bob Skoronski, Green Bay Packer legend dies". News Times. Hearst Media Services Connecticut LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  4. 1 2 Harrison, Don. "A Gridiron Great". Townvibe Fairield. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  5. 1 2 "Skoronski wins key; Billard stay helped". The Day. New London, Connecticut. November 15, 1974. p. 20.
  6. ↑ Lea, Bud (January 25, 1956). "Packers sign Burris, Morris, Skoronski". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 4, part 2.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Skoronski, Knafelc join Packer fold". Milwaukee Sentinel. April 11, 1959. p. 6, part 2.
  8. ↑ St. Amant, Joe (January 20, 1967). "Unitas gets Pro Bowl nod over Starr". Deseret News. Salt Lake City, Utah. UPI. p. 2C.
  9. ↑ "Career ends for Skoronski". Milwaukee Journal. June 10, 1969. p. 15, part 2.
  10. ↑ Lea, Bud (June 11, 1969). "Retirements force Pack to revamp line". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 1, part 2.
  11. ↑ Christl, Cliff. "Bob Skoronski". Packers.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  12. ↑ "PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2017". Archived from the original on October 20, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Heralded former Packers offensive lineman Bob Skoronski dies at 84". www.packers.com. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
  14. ↑ "Former Green Bay Packers OL Bob Skoronski dies at 84". FOX6 News Milwaukee. October 30, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2025.
  15. ↑ Ryman, Richard (October 31, 2018). "Bob Skoronski, Packers Hall of Fame tackle, dead at 84". Green Bay Press Gazette. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  16. ↑ Thompson, Scott (April 26, 2023). "NFL Draft prospect Peter Skoronski ready to honor legendary Packers grandfather as NFL journey begins". Fox News. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  17. ↑ Hernandez, Victoria (April 26, 2023). "Peter Skoronski honors grandfather, a Packers legend and Air Force vet, with his draft journey". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
  18. ↑ Organ, Mike (April 27, 2023). "Tennessee Titans draft pick Peter Skoronski's grandfather played for Vince Lombardi: What else to know". The Tennessean. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
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