No. 77, 65 | |
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Position: | Defensive tackle |
Personal information | |
Born: | Colver, Pennsylvania, U.S. | January 14, 1940
Died: | January 29, 1993 Scott County, Kentucky, U.S. | (aged 53)
Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Weight: | 260 lb (118 kg) |
Career information | |
High school: | Central Cambria (PA) |
College: | Cincinnati |
NFL draft: | 1961 / Round: 2 / Pick: 26 |
AFL draft: | 1961 / Round: 14 / Pick: 108 |
Career history | |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Player stats at PFR |
Ronald Michael Kostelnik (January 14, 1940 - January 29, 1993) was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons with the Green Bay Packers and one with the Baltimore Colts.[1] He played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats. He won two Super Bowls with the Packers and was inducted into the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame.[2]
Early years
[edit]Born in Colver, Pennsylvania, Kostelnik was the son of a Polish American miner.[3] He graduated from Central Cambria High School in 1957 and played college football at the University of Cincinnati.
Playing career
[edit]Kostelnik was selected in the second round of the 1961 NFL draft, 26th overall, by the Packers. For his first several seasons, he backed up veteran Dave Hanner, then became a starter in 1964.[4] Alongside Willie Davis, Henry Jordan, and Lionel Aldridge, Kostelnik was the unheralded member of the Green Bay defensive line. Teammate Jerry Kramer said of him: "There aren't statistics for steady dependable guys who plug up the middle and allow other guys to excel. But that's what Ron did."[1]
In his eight seasons in Green Bay, the Packers won five NFL championships and the first two Super Bowls. He was traded in August 1969 to the Baltimore Colts,[5][6] then retired after the season.
After football
[edit]With a bachelor's and master's degree in education from Cincinnati, Kostelnik planned to be a school administrator. He began working for Mainline Industrial Distributors Inc. of Appleton in sales in the off-season in 1965, became president in 1970,[7][8] and later was its chief executive officer.[1][9]
Death
[edit]While returning to Wisconsin from a Florida vacation with his wife Peggy in 1993, Kostelnik suffered a fatal heart attack and lost control of his car on Interstate 75 in Scott County, Kentucky.[10][11][12] He was age 53 and was survived by his wife, three daughters, and a son.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Hendricks, Martin (November 20, 2012). "Kostelnik got the job done without a fuss". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
- ^ Christl, Cliff. "Ron Kostelnik". Packers.com. Archived from the original on May 23, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ Irwin, Mrs. James B. (August 11, 1968). "Sports: minorities' friend". Milwaukee Journal. p. 2, part 4.
- ^ "Ron Kostelnik finds home as defensive Pacer tackle". Reading Eagle. Pennsylvania. Associated Press. October 7, 1965. p. 26.
- ^ Lea, Bud (August 20, 1969). "Colts get Kostelnik". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 1, part 2.
- ^ Lea, Bud (November 6, 1969). "Ron restless as a reserve". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 1, part 2.
- ^ Stafford, Roger A. (March 19, 1973). "Kostelnik quarterback now". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 9, part 2.
- ^ Kenney, Ray (September 20, 1984). "From lineman to Mainline". Milwaukee Journal. p. 12, part 3.
- ^ Savage, Mark (June 29, 1991). "New position". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 1D.
- ^ "Ron Kostelnik, tackle For Packers, dies at 53". New York Times. Associated Press. February 1, 1993. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
- ^ "Ex-Packer Kostelnik dies at 53". Milwaukee Sentinel. Associated Press. January 30, 1993. p. 1B.
- ^ a b "Ex-Packer Kostelnik, 53, killed in car crash". Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. January 30, 1993. p. A9.
External links
[edit]- Career statistics and player information from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference ·