Vinnie Yablonski
{{Short description|American football player (1923–2008)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Vinnie Yablonski
| image = File:Ventan Yablonski - 1950 Bowman.jpg
| caption = Yablonski on a 1950 Bowman football card
| number = 33
| position = Fullback, linebacker
| birth_date = {{birth date|1923|3|4}}
| birth_place = Worcester, Massachusetts, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2008|3|1|1923|3|4}}
| death_place = Naperville, Illinois, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 8
| weight_lb = 195
| high_school = Classical (Worcester)
| college = Fordham (1941–1942)
Columbia (1946–1947)
| draftyear = 1946
| draftround = 12
| draftpick = 101
| pastteams =
- Chicago Cardinals ({{NFL Year|1948|1951}})
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 460
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 3.7
| statlabel3 = Receptions
| statvalue3 = 15
| statlabel4 = Receiving yards
| statvalue4 = 127
| statlabel5 = Total touchdowns
| statvalue5 = 1
| pfr = Y/YablVi20
}}
Ventan Constantine Yablonski (March 4, 1923 – March 1, 2008) was an American professional football fullback who played four seasons with the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Fordham University and Columbia University.
Early life and college
Ventan Constantine Yablonski was born on March 4, 1923, in Worcester, Massachusetts.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/y/yabl00600.html | title=Vinnie Yablonski | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=9 May 2025}} He attended Worcester Classical High School in Worcester.
Yablonski was a member of the Fordham Rams of Fordham University from 1941 to 1942 and a letterman in 1942. He then served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. After the war, he was a two-year letterman for the Columbia Lions of Columbia University from 1946 to 1947.
Professional career
Yablonski was selected by the Chicago Cardinals in the 12th round, with the 101st overall pick, of the 1946 NFL draft and by the Buffalo Bills in the 18th round, with the 134th overall pick, of the 1947 AAFC draft.{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/Y/YablVi20.htm | title=Vinnie Yablonski | publisher=Pro Football Reference | accessdate=9 May 2025}} He signed with the Cardinals on January 24, 1948.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/transactions/y/yabl00600.html | title=Vinnie Yablonski Transactions | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=9 May 2025}} He played in all 12 games, starting two, for the Cardinals during the 1948 season, totaling 48 carries for 233 yards, one reception for 13 yards, and one of four field goals. Yablonski also appeared in the 1948 NFL Championship Game, 7–0 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. He played in all 12 games, starting two, for the second consecutive year in 1949, recording 32 rushing attempts for 97 yards, six catches for 35 yards, five of six field goals, and one of one extra points. He appeared in all 12 games for the third consecutive season in 1950, accumulating 30 rushes for 110 yards and one touchdown, seven receptions for 71 yards, two of three field goals, and seven of seven extra points. Yablonski started the first four games of the 1951 season for the Cardinals, totaling 14 carries for 20 yards, one reception for eight yards, two of five field goals, and eight of eight extra points. He was released by Chicago on October 24, 1951.
Personal life
Yablonski's brother Joe Yablonski played college football at Holy Cross, and professionally for the Providence Steamroller of the American Association and the Boston Bears of the American Football League.{{cite web | url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/players/y/yabl00400.html | title=JOE YABLONSKI | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=9 May 2025}} Vinnie died on March 1, 2008, in Naperville, Illinois.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Chicago Cardinals 1946 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yablonski, Vinnie}}
Category:Players of American football from Worcester, Massachusetts
Category:American football fullbacks
Category:American football linebackers
Category:American football placekickers
Category:Fordham Rams football players
Category:Columbia Lions football players
Category:Chicago Cardinals players
Category:United States Army Air Forces personnel of World War II