Bert Rechichar

[LeonardRachiele]

No discussion about versatile players would be complete without mentioning Bert Rechichar. He was originally from Bell Vernon, PA just outside of Pittsburgh and was an outstanding player at the University of Tennessee. Rechichar played for the Cleveland Browns in 1952; the Baltimore Colts from 1953 to 1959; and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1960.

Rechichar was a mainstay on the Baltimore Colts championship teams in 1958 and 1959 and made the Pro Bowl from 1955 to 1957. Here are the facts behind this versatile ball player.

—kicked 31 field goals in 88 attempts for an average of 35.2%; made a 55 yard field goal in 1953, an NFL record that lasted for 17 years.

—kicked 62 of 68 extra points for an average of 91.2%

–intercepted 31 passes for 385 yards for an average of 12 yards and one touchdown.

–recovered 9 fumbles for 22 yards for an average of two yards.

–returned 85 punts for 311 yard for an average of four yards .

–returned 23 kickoffs for 448 yards for an average of 20 yards

–caught seven passes for 185 yards for an average of 26 yards and three touchdowns

–punted 38 times for 1, 433 in returns for an average of 38 yards.

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[Brian wolf]

His record kick was at 56 yards ... might slightly miss the HOVG but very close. A hard-hitting player who helped the Colts build a champion. Would help Weeb cut players. A Baltimore legend who sold beer and blew a bunch a money!

[JuggernautJ]

....Would help Weeb cut players....

I hadn't heard that before... do tell, please.

[RichardBak]

There's a book--When the Colts Belonged to Baltimore (or something like that)---that had some good stuff on Rechichar. Just one of many characters on those great Colts teams.

[Brian wolf]

In the Tom Callahan biography of John Unitas, it talks about either 1954 or 1955 training camp, Weeb asked the veterans who they felt should make the team or be cut and Bert Rechichar piped up, "Get rid of so and so, those son-of-a-bitches won't help us" and Weeb cut them ... Hilarious. Weeb didn't want him playing in games around 1959, but Bert would always find ways to get on the field, even going in as a tight end and tell Johnny, "call the play, before Weeb knows I am out here". Fatso -- Art Donovan-- talked about Weeb not liking him because he inherited money and blew it partying with teammates. When Bert got traded, I can't remember when, because he would somehow come back to Baltimore, Weeb would tell the rookie players, "Watch out for Rechichar, he will whack you"... A friggin legend!