Bruno Niedziela Explained

Bruno Niedziela
Number:48
Position:Tackle
Birth Date:12 April 1923
Birth Place:Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Death Place:Richmond, Illinois, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:2
Weight Lbs:225
High School:Crane (IL)
College:Iowa
Draftyear:1945
Draftround:19
Draftpick:192
(by Chicago Bears)
Pastteams:
Statleague:AAFC
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:12
Pfr:NiedBr20

Bruno Joseph Niedziela (April 12, 1923 – March 22, 1962) was an American football tackle who played one season in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) for the Chicago Rockets. He played college football for Iowa.

Niedziela was born on April 12, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Crane High School there, and was a champion wrestler. He graduated in c. 1942, and subsequently played college football for University of Iowa. He won a major letter that year, and started five out of ten games.[1]

He was drafted to serve in World War II during 1943, and was a member of the United States Marine Corps from 1943 to 1945.[2]

He returned to University of Iowa in 1946, and was starting right tackle. He left the school in 1947, signing a professional football contract with the Chicago Rockets of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC).[3] Overall, in the 1947 AAFC season, Niedziela appeared in twelve games, and was a starter in nine of them.[4] He left the team in 1948.

Niedziela later owned a tavern near Richmond, Illinois. He committed suicide on March 22, 1962, at the age of 38.[5]

Notes and References

  1. News: Bruno Won '42 Award. Iowa City Press-Citizen. Newspapers.com. October 30, 1946.
  2. Web site: Bruno Niedziela Stats. Pro Football Archives.
  3. News: Bruno Niedziela Signed by Rockets. Iowa City Press-Citizen. Newspapers.com. July 10, 1947.
  4. Web site: Bruno Niedziela Stats. Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  5. News: Richmond Man Found Dead. The Daily Sentinel. Newspapers.com. March 23, 1962.