Joe Zombek
Joseph A. Zombek (December 24, 1932 – January 13, 1996) was an American football defensive end and punter who played two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at Pittsburgh, and was drafted by the Steelers in the 9th round of the 1954 NFL Draft.
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| Position: | Defensive end, punter | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born: | December 24, 1932 Carnegie, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||||||
| Died: | January 13, 1996 (aged 63) McDonald, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||
| Weight: | 195 lb (88 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school: | Clark (PA) | ||||||
| College: | Pittsburgh | ||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1954 / Round: 9 / Pick: 103 | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||||||
Early life and education
Zombek was born on December 24, 1932, in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. He attended Clark High School in Scott Township, and was an all-state performer in football as a senior in 1949.[1][2] He enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh in 1950, where he was a three-year letterman in football. He majored in geography.[3]
A profile of Zombek in The Pittsburgh Press wrote of him: "A happy-go-lucky lad who likes to tinker with cars in his spare time, he permits no friendships once he takes the field. His charge makes up for lack of heft. He tips the scale at 185 and is a deadly tackler."[2]
Professional career
After finishing his senior season of college, Zombek was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL), in the 9th round (103rd overall) of the 1954 NFL Draft.[4]
Zombek was the final player released in roster cuts. Coach Walt Kiesling said that the final cut had come down to either Zombek or Ernie Cheatham, and kept Cheatham. After receiving film of Zombek the next day, Kielsing "knew he had cut the wrong man."[5] "We had to cut by Tuesday," said coach Kiesling, "and we made a cut in the blind. When we saw the movies we realized we made a mistake."[5] However, due to league rules, he was not eligible to be re-signed until 30 days after the release.[5] After an injury to Bill McPeak, Zombek came back to the team for their game with the Philadelphia Eagles.[5]
Zombek finished the season having played in eight games, one as a starter.[6] He returned to Pittsburgh for the 1955 season, and changed his position to punter.[7][8] He played in one game, at both end and punter, before being released.[8][9]
Later life and death
Zombek later was a salesman and manager at Jessop Steel Co. from 1956 to 1967, and was the owner of the Cherry Hills Inn and Resort in McDonald, Pennsylvania, from 1964 to until at least 1987.[1]
Zombek was inducted into the Western Chapter of Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 1987.[1]
References
- "1987 Inductees". Western Chapter of Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.
- "Know Your Panthers". The Pittsburgh Press. September 22, 1952. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- Cope, Myron (June 25, 1954). "Joe Zombek Is Smart—Knows About Money". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Pitt Players Happy Over Steeler Draft". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. January 29, 1954. p. 20 – via Newspapers.com.
- Cope, Myron (October 29, 1954). "Zombek Misses Games When Films Come Late". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 18 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Joe Zombek Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- "Steelers Sign Joe Zombek, McCabe, Doyle". Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph. May 1, 1955. p. 34 – via Newspapers.com.
- "Joe Zombek Stats". Pro Football Archives.
- "Steelers Sign 2 Free Agents". The Morning Herald. September 28, 1955. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
Further reading
- Cope, Myron (June 25, 1954). "Joe Zombek Is Smart—Knows About Money". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.