George Mrkonic

George Mrkonic
Date of birth: December 17, 1929 (1929-12-17) (age 82)
Place of birth: McKeesport, Pennsylvania
Date of death: May 23, 2011(2011-05-23) (aged 81)
Place of death: Merriam, Kansas
Career information
Position(s): Tackle
College: Kansas
NFL Draft: 1953 / Round: 4 / Pick: 45
Organizations
 As player:
1953
1956		 Philadelphia Eagles
BC Lions (CFL)
Playing stats at NFL.com

George Ralph Mrkonic (born December 17, 1929 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania) is a former American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles. He also played in the Canadian Football League for the BC Lions.

Contents

College career

Mrkonic played college football at the University of Kansas from 1950 to 1952. During that period, the Jayhawks had a 21-9 record.[1] They finished 8-2 in 1951, the year he was selected as an All-American. Mrkonic was selected on the all-conference team in 1950 and 1951. He was also the punter for the Jayhawks, and led Kansas in punting stats in 1951.[1]

Professional career

Mrkonic was drafted in the fourth round (45th overall) in the 1953 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles and played ten games with them that season. In 1956 he tried the Canadian Football League, playing only one game with the BC Lions.[1] He later retired and moved to Shawnee Mission Kansas, where he lived with his wife Ruth. He had six grandchildren.

Death

George Mrkonic passed away in Kansas City, Kansas the week of May 22, 2011 after a lengthy battle with cancer.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c "KU All-Americans". KUSports. http://www.kusports.com/football/all-american/. Retrieved 2009-03-12. 
  2. ^ "Kansas Football Legend George Mrkonic Passes Away". KUAthletics. http://www.kuathletics.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/053111aad.html. Retrieved 2011-05-31.