Robert Popelka

Last updated

Robert Popelka
Robert E. Popelka.png
Popelka from 1967 "Cotton Blossom"
Profile
Position Defensive back
Personal information
Born (1949-11-20) November 20, 1949 (age 75)
Career information
High school Temple High School
College Southern Methodist University
NFL draft 1973: 14th round, 359th overall pick
Career history
1970–1972 SMU Mustangs
Awards and highlights

Robert E. Popelka (born November 20, 1949) is an American former football player.

Popelka was raised in Temple, Texas, and played college football as a defensive back for Southern Methodist University. Popelka played tailback in high school but was converted to defense at SMU. [1] In 1971, he intercepted a pass and returned it 76 yards for a touchdown to help SMU to an 18–17 upset victory over Texas Tech. [2] [3] He was a consensus first-team selection to the 1972 College Football All-America Team. [4] He was also twice selected as an All-Southwest Conference player. [5] SMU coach Hayden Fry said of Popelka: "Robert is the best defensive back in America. He has the tools and equipment to do it all. He has 9.7 speed, great quickness, and excellent judgment and timing." [6] He also won the Southwest Conference's Kern Tips Memorial Award in 1972 as the conference's outstanding senior football player. [7] [8]

Popelka was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 14th round of the 1973 NFL draft, [9] He was considered to be too small and too slow for the NFL. [10]

Popelka was inducted into the SMU Hall of Fame in 1983. [5]

References

  1. ↑ "Fry High on Ex-Tailback Popelka as Defensive Back". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. November 3, 1971. p. 1E – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "Popelka Hero Of Pony Win". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. October 24, 1971. p. 3B – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "Robert Popelka Named Defensive Player of Week". The Eagle. October 27, 1971. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "2014 NCAA Football Records: Consensus All-America Selections" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 2014. p. 6. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  5. 1 2 "Robert Popelka Bio". SMUMustangs.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Maxson and Morris: SMU's Dynamic Duo". The Tampa Tribune. September 20, 1972. p. 35 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Popelka Wins Award". Austin American-Statesman. December 7, 1972. p. 55 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Says Kern Tips Winner -- 'Technique 10 Percent And Desire 90 Percent'". El Paso Herald-Post. December 7, 1972. p. 32 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ↑ "1973 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Popelka Doesn't Feel He'll Get Full Chance". The Bonham Daily Favorite. February 5, 1973. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.


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