Ed Modzelewski
{{Short description|American football player (1929–2015)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Ed Modzelewski
| image = Ed Modzelewski.jpg
| caption = Modzelewski as a senior at Maryland
| number = 39, 36
| position = Fullback
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1929|1|13}}
| birth_place = West Natrona, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2015|02|28|1929|1|13|mf=y}}
| death_place = West Sedona, Arizona, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 0
| weight_lb = 217
| high_school = Natrona Heights (PA) Har-Brack
| college = Maryland
| draftyear = 1952
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 6
| pastteams =
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|1952}})
- Cleveland Browns ({{NFL Year|1955|1959}})
| highlights =
- NFL champion (1955)
- First-team All-American (1951)
- 2× All-SoCon (1950, 1951)
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 1,292
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 3.3
| statlabel3 = Receptions
| statvalue3 = 38
| statlabel4 = Receiving yards
| statvalue4 = 277
| statlabel5 = Total touchdowns
| statvalue5 = 14
| pfr = ModzEd20
}}
Edward Walter Modzelewski (January 13, 1929 – February 28, 2015) was an American professional football fullback, who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Cleveland Browns. He played college football for the University of Maryland.
Early life
Growing up in West Natrona, Pennsylvania as one of six children, he was a three-sport athlete at Har-Brack High School (now Highlands High School).
He accepted a scholarship from the University of Maryland, where he became a three-year starter. As a sophomore, he contributed to the team having a 9–1 record.
In 1951, he was a part of an undefeated team (10-0 record), that outscored its opponents, 381–74.{{cite web| url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/terps/bs-sp-obit-modzelewski-20150301-story.html | title=Ed Modzelewski, fullback on Terps' undefeated team, dies at 86 | access-date=January 29, 2023}} Maryland also secured its first berth in a major postseason bowl game, the 1952 Sugar Bowl, where it upset the first-ranked University of Tennessee, with him playing a key role after rushing for 153 yards and being named the game's outstanding player. He finished the year with 825 yards and averaging 7.3 yards a carry.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=110&dat=19520102&id=8p8xAAAAIBAJ&sjid=n0IDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6779,52473 | title=Terps Cash in on Breaks to Clip Tennessee | access-date=January 29, 2023}}
Professional career
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
Modzelewski was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round (6th overall) of the 1952 NFL draft. After his rookie season, he served two years in the Air Force.
Upon his discharge and return in 1955, he hurt his back in training camp and was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for future hall of famer Marion Motley.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1129&dat=19551110&id=JH1IAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2moDAAAAIBAJ&pg=1761,3266614 | title=Punts and Passes | access-date=January 29, 2023}}
=Cleveland Browns=
In 1955, he registered 619 rushing yards (ninth in the league) and 6 touchdowns, playing a key role in the Cleveland Browns repeating as NFL champions.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1350&dat=19551213&id=i1dIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=ogAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7424,3196397 | title=One Man's Opinion | access-date=January 29, 2023}} He was a starter for two years until the arrival of future hall of famer Jim Brown in 1957.{{cite web| url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bs-xpm-2013-10-31-bs-sp-catching-up-modzelewski-20131031-story.html | title=Catching Up With ... Ed Modzelewski | access-date=January 29, 2023}}
File:Edmodzelewskiautograph.jpg
Modzelewski was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL expansion draft, but he opted to retire instead of reporting to the team.
Personal life
After football, he chose to set up a high-end restaurant named Mo and Juniors instead. The family owned the place. Oldest brother Joe was a chef and Ed managed it. Dick worked the room during the off season when he lived in Cleveland despite playing for the New York Giants. Ed later became the president of Beef Corral Inc, which had 11 outlets in the Cleveland area. The franchise business was a huge success among the fans and the local community.
Modzelewski's parents, Joe and Martha had a big family. Ed's siblings included Joe, Gene, Dick, Betty Lou, and Florence Nowicki. Ed was married to Mary Modzelewski and later, Joanne Modzelewski. Ed Modzelewski's children included [https://web.archive.org/web/20150402151038/http://scottalanmodzelewski.com/ Scott Alan Modzelewski]; [http://www.michaelmodzelewski.com Michael Modzelewski], Bruce Modzelewski and Nancy Giacobbe. Ed had three grandchildren, Lance Modzelewski, Anthony Giacobbe, and Jenny Modzelewski.
He died of congestive heart failure in 2015 at the age of 86 at his home in West Sedona, Arizona.{{cite web| url=https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/steelers/2015/03/04/Obituary-Ed-Modzelewski/stories/201503040236 | title=Obituary: Ed Modzelewski / Steelers' 1st pick in 1952, half of stellar football brothers | access-date=January 29, 2023}} His brother Dick Modzelewski also played in the National Football League.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/ed-modzelewski-maryland-football-star-in-1940s-and-early-50s-dies-at-86/2015/03/08/5a55edc6-c45a-11e4-ad5c-3b8ce89f1b89_story.html Ed Modzelewski, Maryland football star in the 1940s and early ’50s, dies at 86]
{{1951 Maryland Terrapins football navbox}}
{{1952 NFL Draft}}
{{Steelers1952DraftPicks}}
{{SteelersFirstPick}}
{{1955 Cleveland Browns}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Modzelewski, Ed}}
Category:People from Harrison Township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Category:Players of American football from Allegheny County, Pennsylvania
Category:American football running backs
Category:All-American college football players
Category:Maryland Terrapins football players