Roger Bonk
{{Short description|American gridiron football player (1944–2023)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox CFL biography
| name = Roger Bonk
| number = 52
| image = File:Roger Bonk.png
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1944|6|9}}
| birth_place = Chippewa County, Minnesota, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2023|2|13|1944|6|9}}
| death_place = Clovis, California, U.S.
| position = Linebacker
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lb = 230
| college = {{ubl|Minnesota (1962)|North Dakota (1964–1966)}}
| high_school = Appleton (MN)
| playing_years1 = 1967–1968
| playing_team1 = Winnipeg Blue Bombers
| career_highlights =
- First-team Little All-American (1966)
- North Dakota Athletic Hall of Fame (1983)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 15
| statlabel2 = Interceptions
| statvalue2 = 1
| statlabel3 = Interception
| statvalue3 = 14
| statlabel4 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue4 = 1
| CFL =
| NFL =
}}
Roger Franklin Bonk (June 9, 1944 – February 13, 2023) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker for one season in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. A native of Minnesota, he played freshman football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers in 1962 before transferring to the University of North Dakota. He played three years for their football team and was twice named all-conference, additionally being named first-team Little All-American as a senior. Bonk then played 15 games for Winnipeg in {{CFL Year|1967}} before being released prior to the 1968 season.
Early life and education
Bonk was born on June 9, 1944, in Chippewa County, Minnesota.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerb/bonk00400.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Roger Bonk Stats}} He had seven siblings, all sisters, and was a member of a farming family.{{Cite news|url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/fresnobee/name/roger-bonk-obituary?id=48016857|newspaper=The Fresno Bee|date=February 23, 2023|title=Roger Franklin Bonk|via=Legacy.com}} Bonk went to elementary school in Danvers and later attended Appleton High School, at which he played football, wrestling, and track. As a senior, Bonk was named first-team all-state by the Star Tribune in football{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119716044/star-tribune/|newspaper=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 26, 1961|page=46|title=Tribune's All-State Honors Heaviest Squad in History|author=Peterson, Ted}} {{Open access}} and also earned all-state honors in track and wrestling. His position with Appleton in football was middle guard.
After graduating from Appleton in 1962, Bonk played freshman football for the Minnesota Golden Gophers.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119748475/star-tribune/|newspaper=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 30, 1962|page=45|author=Hartman, Sid|author-link=Sid Hartman|title=Hartman's Roundup}} {{Open access}} Although he was considered one of their "brightest prospects" as a sophomore in 1963, he announced that he was dropping out before the season started.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119748636/star-tribune/|newspaper=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 4, 1963|page=19|title=2 Sophomore Linemen Quit 'U' Squad on Second Day of Drills|author=McGrane, Bill}} {{Open access}} Afterwards, Bonk transferred to the University of North Dakota.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119748798/the-la-crosse-tribune/|newspaper=The La Crosse Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 12, 1963|page=12|title=Bonk Transfers|agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}}
Bonk went on to play three seasons for North Dakota, and was described as "unquestionably an outstanding leader and premier football performer."{{Cite web|url=https://fightinghawks.com/sports/2007/1/20/750096.aspx|publisher=North Dakota Fighting Hawks|title=Hall of Fame – 1983 Inductees|date=January 20, 2007}} Playing offensive guard and linebacker, he twice was named all-conference and in his final year was one of their captains. As a senior in 1966, Bonk was named first-team Little All-American after averaging 11 solo tackles per game.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119749879/abilene-reporter-news/|newspaper=Abilene Reporter-News|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 6, 1966|page=10|title=North Dakota All-American Will Display Wares Here|author=Davis, Mike}} {{Open access}} Nicknamed "The Boinker," he also was named the team's most outstanding lineman{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119750387/star-tribune/|newspaper=Star Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=December 12, 1966|page=42|title=Colehour, Bonk Get MVP Awards|agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}} and was later inducted into their hall of fame. Bonk graduated with a degree in business.
Professional career
Bonk was signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in April {{CFL Year|1967}}.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119750699/the-lawton-constitution-and-morning/|newspaper=The Lawton Constitution and Morning|via=Newspapers.com|date=April 23, 1967|page=16|title=Roger Bonk Signs|agency=Associated Press}} {{Open access}} He became a starter at linebacker early in the season,{{cite news|author=Coleman, Jim|author-link=Jim Coleman (journalist)|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119751728/calgary-herald/|newspaper=Calgary Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=August 11, 1967|page=18|title=Untitled}} {{Open access}} and finished the year having appeared in all but one of their 16 games.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/1967cflwpg.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=1967 Winnipeg Blue Bombers (CFL)}} He posted one interception, a return of 14 yards, and also recorded one fumble recovery as well as two kickoff returns for 29 yards. Bonk was released by the Blue Bombers in July {{CFL Year|1968}}.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119751986/calgary-herald/|newspaper=Calgary Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 30, 1968|page=12|title=Ex-Stamps Get The Chop From Rival CFL Squads}} {{Open access}}
Later life and death
After finishing his football career, Bonk moved to California and worked at Sears for a time, before starting a swimming pool business, which he ran for over 40 years. He also was a youth football coach. He was inducted into the University of North Dakota Athletic Hall of Fame in 1983. Bonk died on February 13, 2023, in Clovis, California, at age 78.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/119751564/the-kingston-whig-standard/|newspaper=The Kingston Whig-Standard|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 27, 1964|page=14|author=Coleman, Jim|author-link=Jim Coleman (journalist)|title=All-Star Time}} {{Open access}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bonk, Roger}}
Category:American football defensive tackles
Category:American football linebackers
Category:American football offensive guards
Category:Canadian football linebackers
Category:Minnesota Golden Gophers football players
Category:North Dakota Fighting Hawks football players
Category:Winnipeg Blue Bombers players