James Melka

Last updated

James Melka
No. 52
Position: Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1962-01-15) January 15, 1962 (age 63)
West Allis, Wisconsin, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High school: West Allis Central
College: Wisconsin
NFL draft: 1985: 12th round, 330th pick
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Interceptions:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

James David Melka (born January 15, 1962) is an American former professional football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL).

Contents

Biography

Melka was born on January 15, 1962, in West Allis, Wisconsin. [1] He attended West Allis Central High School where he was an All-America running back. [2]

Career

Melka played at the collegiate level at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and was named to the All-Big Ten team twice. [2] He was drafted in the twelfth round of the 1985 NFL draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers but broke his navicular bone in his wrist playing in a pickup basketball game. [3] [4] He was placed on waivers on August 19, 1985, [5] and would later go on to be a member of the Green Bay Packers. [6]

References

  1. "Jim Melka". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Retrieved September 1, 2020.
  2. 1 2 Scheiber, Dave (July 25, 1985). "Buc pick's big break was anything but a lucky one". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved August 31, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  3. "1985 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  4. Randle, Ervin (July 19, 1985). "Buccaneers sign draftees Randle, Melka". The Tampa Tribune. Retrieved August 31, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Melka put on waivers". Marshfield News-Herald. August 19, 1985. Retrieved September 1, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  6. "When Packers called Melka responded". Kenosha News. October 10, 1987. Retrieved September 1, 2020 via Newspapers.com.