Ed Koontz
{{Short description|American football player (born 1946)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Ed Koontz
| image =
| caption = Koontz while at Catawba
| position = Linebacker
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1946|6|11}}
| birth_place = Hanover, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 230
| high_school = Littlestown
(Littlestown, Pennsylvania)
| college = Catawba
| afldraftyear = 1968
| afldraftround = 17
| afldraftpick = 440
| pastteams =
- Boston Patriots (1968)
- Quincy Giants (1969)
| pfr = KoonEd20
}}
Edward Larry Koontz (born June 11, 1946) is an American former professional football linebacker who played one season with the Boston Patriots of the American Football League (AFL). He played college football at Catawba and was selected by the Patriots in the 17th round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft.
Early life
Edward Larry Koontz was born on June 11, 1946, in Hanover, Pennsylvania. He played four years of varsity football at Littlestown High School in Littlestown, Pennsylvania. He was a fullback and defensive back in high school. He earned All-Laurel Conference honors as a fullback and was also named the York County Interscholastic League defensive back of the year. Koontz garnered all-state recognition in high school as well. He graduated in 1964.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-evening-sun/163194512/ | title=Koontz In Catawba Swan Song; Tabbed Fine Pro Prospect | work=The Evening Sun | date=November 18, 1967 | accessdate=16 January 2025 | pages=11}}
College career
Koontz played college football for the Catawba Indians from 1964 to 1967 as a two-way player.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-gettysburg-times/163194645/ | title=Koontz Gains Starting Job For Catawba | work=The Gettysburg Times | date=October 9, 1964 | accessdate=16 January 2025 | pages=11}} He was a linebacker on defense but spent time at several positions on offense; he was an offensive guard his freshman year in 1964, then a tight end for two years, before switching to center as a senior. He was a team captain his senior year in 1967. Koontz led the Carolinas Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (CIAC) in tackles for three straight seasons. He was named All-CIAC as a center in 1965 and as a linebacker in both 1966 and 1967. He earned second-team Little All-American honors in 1967. Koontz majored in business at Catawba. He was inducted into the Catawba Hall of Fame in 1983.
Professional career
Koontz was selected by the Boston Patriots in the 17th round, with the 440th overall pick, of the 1968 NFL draft.{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KoonEd20.htm | title=Ed Koontz | publisher=Pro Football Reference | accessdate=16 January 2025}} He signed with the team in February 1968.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/hartford-courant/163195496/ | title='Iron-Man' Koontz of Catawba Signs to Become Newest Patriot | work=Hartford Courant | date=February 22, 1968 | accessdate=16 January 2025 | pages=18}} He suffered a cracked helmet, a broken nose, multiple wrist bone fractures, and an aggravated hamstring after being blindsided on a punt against the Miami Dolphins.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salisbury-post/163196234/ | title=Koontz' Fun Ends When 'Blind-Sided' | work=The Salisbury Post | date=January 24, 1969 | accessdate=16 January 2025 | author=Billings, Horace | pages=1B}} Overall, Koontz, played in six games, starting one, for the Patriots during the 1968 season as a linebacker. He was cut by the Patriots on July 28, 1969.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-argus/163196329/ | title=Two Remain In Contention For Patriot Linebacker | work=The Times Argus | date=July 29, 1969 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=16 January 2025 | pages=8}}
Koontz was later a member of the Quincy Giants of the Atlantic Coast Football League (ACFL) in 1969.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/k/koon00600.html | title=Ed Koontz | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=16 January 2025}}
Personal life
Koontz worked for Budweiser after his football career.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salisbury-post/163196631/ | title=Ed Koontz: Catawba star made it as a 17th-round pick | work=The Salisbury Post | date=November 13, 2006 | accessdate=16 January 2025 | author=London, Mike | pages=1C, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-salisbury-post/163196932/ 4C]}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Patriots1968DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Koontz, Ed}}
Category:American football linebackers
Category:American football offensive guards
Category:American football tight ends
Category:American football centers
Category:Catawba Indians football players
Category:Boston Patriots players
Category:Atlantic Coast Football League players
Category:Players of American football from Pennsylvania