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.
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No. 48 | |||
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Position: | Tackle | ||
Personal information | |||
Born: | (1923-04-12)April 12, 1923 Chicago, Illinois | ||
Died: | March 22, 1962(1962-03-22) (aged 38) Richmond, Illinois | ||
Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||
Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) | ||
Career information | |||
High school: | Crane (IL) | ||
College: | Iowa | ||
NFL Draft: | 1945 / Round: 19 / Pick: 192 (by Chicago Bears) | ||
Career history | |||
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Career AAFC statistics | |||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||
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]
Chicago Bears 1945 NFL draft selections | |
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