Bob Schnelker

Robert Bernard Schnelker (October 17, 1928 – December 12, 2016) was an American football tight end and coach who played for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL), mainly with the New York Giants. He later served as a coach for several NFL teams for over twenty seasons.

Schnelker played college football at Bowling Green State University. He was named as an All-Ohio end twice while also playing on the track and field team. He was inducted into the program's athletic Hall of Fame as part of their first class in 1964.^[1][2]

He was drafted in the 29th round of the 1950 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. He served in the Marines before being discharged a few years later, where the Philadelphia Eagles picked him up for their roster before he was traded to the New York Giants. Schnelker was a two-time Pro Bowler and a member of the 1956 NFL Champion Giants. As a member of the expansion team Minnesota Vikings in 1961, he caught the first touchdown pass in the first game played by the team from Fran Tarkenton.^[3] After retiring from football, he was an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Rams, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers and the Minnesota Vikings. It was with the Vikings that led to a memorable moment from head coach Jerry Burns, who leapt to Schnelker's defense as a coordinator in a profanity-laced tirade after a 23-21 win (a game that saw Rich Karlis make seven field goals before a game-clinching safety happened in overtime) in the 1989 season had plenty of criticism heaped onto Schnelker from Minnesota fans.^[3]

Schnelker died from complications of cancer on December 12, 2016, in Naples, Florida.^[4] He was survived by three grandchildren, a daughter, and a brother.^[5]

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