Rudy Sikich

{{Short description|American football player (1921–1998)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Rudy Sikich

| number = 48

| position = Tackle

| birth_date = {{birth date|1921|2|21}}

| birth_place = Hibbing, Minnesota, U.S.

| death_date = {{death date and age|1998|1|4|1921|2|21}}

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lb = 220

| high_school = Hibbing (Minnesota)

| college = Minnesota (1941–1944)

| draftyear = 1944

| draftround = 4

| draftpick = 29

| pastteams =

| highlights =

| statlabel1 = Games played

| statvalue1 = 6

| statlabel2 = Games started

| statvalue2 = 2

| statlabel3 = Fumble recoveries

| statvalue3 = 1

| pfr = S/SikiRu20

}}

Rudolph H. Sikich (February 12, 1921 – January 4, 1998) was an American professional football tackle who played one season with the Cleveland Rams of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Brooklyn Tigers in the fourth round of the 1944 NFL draft. Sikich played college football at the University of Minnesota.

Early life and college

Rudolph H. Sikich was born on February 12, 1921, in Hibbing, Minnesota.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/s/siki00400.html | title=Rudy Sikich | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=12 March 2025}} He attended Hibbing High School in Hibbing. In 2000, he was inducted into the Hibbing High School Athletic Hall of Fame.{{cite web |title=Hibbing High School Athletic Hall of Fame |url=https://cdn2.sportngin.com/attachments/document/737b-1627340/HHS_HOF_List.pdf |accessdate=March 16, 2019 |format=PDF}}

Sikich was a four-year letterman for the Minnesota Golden Gophers of the University of Minnesota from 1941 to 1944. The 1941 Golden Gophers were national champions.

Professional career

Sikich was selected by the Brooklyn Tigers in the fourth round, with the 29th overall pick, of the 1944 NFL draft. He signed with the Cleveland Rams in 1945. He played in six games, starting two, for the Rams during the 1945 season and recovered one fumble. Sikich also played in the 1945 NFL Championship Game, a 15–14 victory over the Washington Redskins.

Sikich signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1946 but was later released. He signed with the Los Angeles Rams in 1947 but was released again.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactions/s/siki00400.html | title=Rudy Sikich Transactions | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=12 March 2025}}

Personal life

Sikich served in the United States Marine Corps. He died on January 4, 1998.{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SikiRu20.htm | title=Rudy Sikich | publisher=Pro Football Reference | accessdate=12 March 2025}}

References