Ed Podolak
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Ed Podolak (born September 1, 1947, in Atlantic, Iowa) was an American football player. He played quarterback and halfback at the University of Iowa before being selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the second round of the 1969 NFL draft.
During a nine-year career from 1969 to 1977, Podolak became the Chiefs' second all-time leading rusher with 4,451 yards and 34 touchdowns on 1,158 carries. He was also known for his work on special teams as a pass receiver and return man, catching 288 passes for 2,456 yards and 6 touchdowns while averaging 8.6 yards per punt and 20.5 yards per kickoff return. His 8,178 career combined yards are the second-most in the team's history. Podolak led the Chiefs in rushing four times, in receiving three times, and in punt returns three times. In a December 25, 1971, playoff loss to the Miami Dolphins (still the longest game in NFL history), he had a playoff-record 350 total yards: 85 rushing, 110 receiving, and 155 on returns. Podolak, who wore jersey number 14, was inducted into the Chiefs' Hall of Fame in 1989.
One of his most notable performances was an AFC playoff game in against the Miami Dolphins in the 1971 season. In the game, Podolak set a playoff record with 350 all-purpose yards. However, his team lost the game after 22 minutes and 40 seconds of overtime play.
Podolak has worked as a radio color commentator for Iowa Hawkeye football games on WHO radio in Des Moines and a statewide radio network since 1982. He worked alongside play-by-play announcer Jim Zabel until 1996 and has worked with Gary Dolphin since 1997.
[edit] External links
- Career record on FootballReference.com
- Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame: Ed Podolak