:Andy Stynchula
{{Short description|American football player (1939–1985)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image =
| position = Defensive tackle / Defensive end
| number = 71, 72, 83, 87
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1939|1|7|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Greenwald, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|1985|08|1|1939|01|7}}
| death_place = Berry Islands, Bahamas
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 250
| draftyear = 1960
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 28
| afldraftyear = 1960
| afldraftround = 2
Pick: First Selections
(by the Los Angeles Chargers)
| high_school = Latrobe (PA)
| college = Penn State
| teams =
- Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|1960}}–{{NFL Year|1963}})
- New York Giants ({{NFL Year|1964}}–{{NFL Year|1965}})
- Baltimore Colts ({{NFL Year|1966}}–{{NFL Year|1967}})
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1968}})
| highlights =
- Pro Bowl (1960)
- NFL All-rookie team ({{NFL Year|1960}})
- Red Worrell Award (1958)
- First-team All-Eastern (1959)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 104
| statlabel2 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue2 = 11
| statlabel3 =
| statvalue3 =
| pfr = StynAn20
}}
Andrew Ralph Stynchula (January 7, 1939 – August 1, 1985) was an American football defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins, New York Giants, Baltimore Colts, and the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Penn State University.
Early years
Stynchula attended Latrobe High School, before moving on to Penn State University. He played as a defensive and offensive tackle.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19591216&id=HCUsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=S54FAAAAIBAJ&pg=2402,5467574&hl=es | title=Penn State Possesse Other Stars Beside Talented Quarterback | accessdate=February 19, 2016}}
In 1958, he was the first recipient of the Red Worrell Award, given in Penn State to the player that shows exemplary conduct, loyalty, interest, attitude and improvement during spring practice.
Professional career
=Washington Redskins=
Stynchula was selected in the third round (28th overall) of the 1960 NFL draft. He was also selected by the New York Titans in the 1960 AFL Draft. As a rookie, he was named the starter at right defensive end and received Pro Bowl honors.
On April 10, 1964, he was traded along with running back Dick James to the New York Giants in exchange for All-Pro linebacker Sam Huff and a fifth round draft choice (#62-Frank Lambert).{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19640411&id=HgkOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6HwDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3371,264778&hl=es | title=Redskins Trade Stynchula, James To Giants For Huff | accessdate=February 19, 2016}}
=New York Giants=
In 1964, he was moved to left defensive tackle. The next year, he was switched to right defensive end and played out his contract option, so he could become a free agent in 1966.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2209&dat=19660212&id=Y6srAAAAIBAJ&sjid=O_0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=3527,4112824&hl=es | title=Giants Stynchula Plays Out Option | accessdate=February 19, 2016}} On February 16, 1966, to avoid losing him without receiving any compensation, he was traded to the Baltimore Colts in exchange for safety Wendell Harris.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19660217&id=4f9NAAAAIBAJ&sjid=5YsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7153,4097183&hl=es | title=Falcons' Stock Called 'Best' | accessdate=February 19, 2016}}
=Baltimore Colts=
In 1966, he was placed on the injured reserve list after the eighth game of the season.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1817&dat=19661112&id=HAAdAAAAIBAJ&sjid=J5sEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7124,1935475&hl=es | title=Colts Are Planning A Party For Gino | accessdate=February 19, 2016}} He was released on September 10, 1968.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19680911&id=x-ZNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=g4oDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4041,5900653&hl=es | title=Taylor, McDonald, Groza Among Cuts | accessdate=February 19, 2016}}
=Dallas Cowboys=
On October 31, 1968, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to the taxi squad. On November 9, he was promoted to the active roster and played in 5 games as a reserve.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19681110&id=CCYsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QJ8FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6369,1480212&hl=es | title=Cowboys Call Up Vet Lineman | accessdate=February 19, 2016}} On July 13, 1969, he announced his retirement.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=888&dat=19690714&id=1MpaAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2HsDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5671,3053336&hl=es | title=Potluck | accessdate=February 19, 2016}}
Personal life
On Thursday, August 1, 1985, he died in a car accident on the northernmost island of the Berry Islands, while on vacation in the Bahamas.{{cite news | work=New York Times | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1985/08/04/sports/stynchula-former-colt-killed-in-car-accident.html | title=Stynchula, Former Colt, Killed in Car Accident | accessdate=2008-09-05 | date=August 4, 1985}}[https://www.newspapers.com/image/449100628/?terms=%22Andy%20Stynchula%22&match=1 Crash claims area native]." Latrobe, Pennsylvania: Latrobe Bulletin, August 3, 1985, p. 10 (subscription required).
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Redskins1960DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Stynchula, Andy}}
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:Baltimore Colts players
Category:Dallas Cowboys players
Category:New York Giants players
Category:Penn State Nittany Lions football players
Category:Players of American football from Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania