Position: | Defensive tackle / Defensive end |
Number: | 71, 72, 83, 87 |
Birth Date: | January 7, 1939 |
Birth Place: | Greenwald, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
Death Place: | Berry Islands, Bahamas |
Height Ft: | 6 |
Height In: | 3 |
Weight Lbs: | 250 |
Draftyear: | 1960 |
Draftround: | 3 |
Draftpick: | 28 |
Afldraftyear: | 1960 |
Afldraftround: | 2 Pick: First Selections (by the Los Angeles Chargers) |
High School: | Latrobe (PA) |
College: | Penn State |
Teams: | |
Highlights: |
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Statlabel1: | Games played |
Statvalue1: | 104 |
Statlabel2: | Fumble recoveries |
Statvalue2: | 11 |
Pfr: | StynAn20 |
Andrew Ralph Stynchula (January 7, 1939 - August 1, 1985) was an American football defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins, New York Giants, Baltimore Colts, and the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Penn State University.
Stynchula attended Latrobe High School, before moving on to Penn State University. He played as a defensive and offensive tackle.[1]
In 1958, he was the first recipient of the Red Worrell Award, given in Penn State to the player that shows exemplary conduct, loyalty, interest, attitude and improvement during spring practice.
Stynchula was selected in the third round (28th overall) of the 1960 NFL draft. He was also selected by the New York Titans in the 1960 AFL Draft. As a rookie, he was named the starter at right defensive end and received Pro Bowl honors.
On April 10, 1964, he was traded along with running back Dick James to the New York Giants in exchange for All-Pro linebacker Sam Huff and a fifth round draft choice (#62-Frank Lambert).[2]
In 1964, he was moved to left defensive tackle. The next year, he was switched to right defensive end and played out his contract option, so he could become a free agent in 1966.[3] On February 16, 1966, to avoid losing him without receiving any compensation, he was traded to the Baltimore Colts in exchange for safety Wendell Harris.[4]
In 1966, he was placed on the injured reserve list after the eighth game of the season.[5] He was released on September 10, 1968.[6]
On October 31, 1968, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to the taxi squad. On November 9, he was promoted to the active roster and played in 5 games as a reserve.[7] On July 13, 1969, he announced his retirement.[8]
On Thursday, August 1, 1985, he died in a car accident on the northernmost island of the Berry Islands, while on vacation in the Bahamas.[9] [10]