John Raymond "Strike" Strzykalski (December 14, 1921 – June 19, 2002) was an American football halfback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted out of Marquette University by the Green Bay Packers in the 1946 NFL draft.[1] Strzykalski served in the United States Air Force prior to his football career.[2]

Johnny Strzykalski
refer to caption
John Strzykalski in 1949
No. 91, 45
Position:Halfback
Personal information
Born:(1921-12-14)December 14, 1921
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Died:June 19, 2002(2002-06-19) (aged 80)
Hendersonville, North Carolina, U.S.
Height:5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Weight:190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:South Division (Wisconsin)
College:Marquette
NFL draft:1946 / round: 1 / pick: 6
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts:662
Rushing yards:3,415
Receptions:93
Receiving yards:1,218
Total touchdowns:31
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Nicknamed "Strike" by his teammates, Strzykalski retired at the end of the 1952 NFL season together with quarterback Frankie Albert, leaving Bruno Banducci the last original 49er on the roster.[3]

John Strzykalski on a 1951 Bowman football card.

References

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  1. ^ "Johnny Strzykalski Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2023. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  2. ^ Bush, David (July 10, 2002). "Original 49er knew how to put the strike in Strzykalski". SFGate. Archived from the original on September 5, 2017. Retrieved November 1, 2023.
  3. ^ Professional Football 1953 Year Book of the National Football League. New York: Don Spencer Co., 1953; p. 68.