Robert Francis Skoronski[1] (March 5, 1934 – October 30, 2018) was an American professional football player who was a tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers for 11 seasons.[2] He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers.
 | |
| No. 76 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Offensive tackle |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | March 5, 1934 Ansonia, Connecticut, U.S. |
| Died: | October 30, 2018 (aged 84) Middleton, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight: | 249 lb (113 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Fairfield Prep (Fairfield, Connecticut) |
| College: | Indiana |
| NFL draft: | 1956 / round: 5 / pick: 56 |
| Career history | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Early life
editBorn in Ansonia, Connecticut, Skoronski grew up in Derby[1] with three brothers and a sister.[3] He went to high school at Fairfield College Preparatory School, graduating in 1951.[4] He then attended Admiral Billard Academy in New London for a year.[3] He played college football at Indiana University in Bloomington.[5] As a senior in 1955, he was the Hoosiers' most valuable player and averaged 50 minutes per game.[6]
Playing career
editSkoronski was selected in the fifth round of the 1956 NFL draft, 56th overall, by the Green Bay Packers.[7] He started at left tackle in his rookie season in 1956 under third-year head coach Lisle Blackbourn, and then served two years in the U.S. Air Force.[5][7] Skoronski returned to the team in 1959, the first season under head coach Vince Lombardi.[7]
Skoronski was the offensive left tackle and offensive captain on Lombardi's five NFL championship teams.[7] He played in the Pro Bowl following the 1966 season (and the first Super Bowl).[8]
Following his 11th season in the NFL, Skoronski retired in June 1969,[9][10] and was elected to the Packers Hall of Fame in 1976.[11] In 2017, the Professional Football Researchers Association named Skoronski to the PFRA Hall of Very Good Class of 2017.[12]
Personal life
editSkoronski met his wife Ruth in college and they married in 1956. They had four children, three boys and a girl (Bob, Steve, Ron and Patti), and four grandchildren.[3][4]
He died of Alzheimer's disease on October 30, 2018, in Middleton, Wisconsin.[13][14][15]
His grandson, Peter Skoronski, played offensive tackle at Northwestern University and was picked by the Tennessee Titans 11th overall in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft.[16][17][18]
References
edit- ^ a b Mayko, Michael P. (November 2018). "Derby's Bob Skoronski, Green Bay Packer legend dies". News Times. Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC. Retrieved November 3, 2018.
- ^ Montgomery, Roger (February 3, 1975). "Bob Skoronski may begin new career". The Day. New London, Connecticut. p. 26.
- ^ a b c Mayko, Michael P. (November 2018). "Derby's Bob Skoronski, Green Bay Packer legend dies". News Times. Hearst Media Services Connecticut LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- ^ a b Harrison, Don. "A Gridiron Great". Townvibe Fairield. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- ^ a b "Skoronski wins key; Billard stay helped". The Day. New London, Connecticut. November 15, 1974. p. 20.
- ^ Lea, Bud (January 25, 1956). "Packers sign Burris, Morris, Skoronski". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 4, part 2.
- ^ a b c d "Skoronski, Knafelc join Packer fold". Milwaukee Sentinel. April 11, 1959. p. 6, part 2.
- ^ St. Amant, Joe (January 20, 1967). "Unitas gets Pro Bowl nod over Starr". Deseret News. Salt Lake City, Utah. UPI. p. 2C.
- ^ "Career ends for Skoronski". Milwaukee Journal. June 10, 1969. p. 15, part 2.
- ^ Lea, Bud (June 11, 1969). "Retirements force Pack to revamp line". Milwaukee Sentinel. p. 1, part 2.
- ^ Christl, Cliff. "Bob Skoronski". Packers.com. Archived from the original on April 19, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
- ^ "PRFA Hall of Very Good Class of 2017". Archived from the original on October 20, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2017.
- ^ "Heralded former Packers offensive lineman Bob Skoronski dies at 84". www.packers.com. Retrieved October 31, 2018.
- ^ Former Green Bay Packers OL Bob Skoronski dies at 84
- ^ Ryman, Richard (October 31, 2018). "Bob Skoronski, Packers Hall of Fame tackle, dead at 84". Green Bay Press Gazette. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
- ^ Thompson, Scott (April 26, 2023). "NFL Draft prospect Peter Skoronski ready to honor legendary Packers grandfather as NFL journey begins". Fox News. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ Hernandez, Victoria (April 26, 2023). "Peter Skoronski honors grandfather, a Packers legend and Air Force vet, with his draft journey". USA TODAY. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
- ^ Organ, Mike (April 27, 2023). "Tennessee Titans draft pick Peter Skoronski's grandfather played for Vince Lombardi: What else to know". The Tennessean. Retrieved July 20, 2023.
External links
edit- Career statistics from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference ·
- National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame – Bob Skoronski