Chet Kozel

Chet Kozel
Personal information
Born:(1919-10-15)October 15, 1919
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Died:June 27, 1982(1982-06-27) (aged 62)
Kenosha, Wisconsin
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:211 lb (96 kg)
Career information
College:Ole Miss (1938-1941)
Position:Tackle
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games played:17
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Chester R. Kozel (October 15, 1919 – June 27, 1982) was an American football lineman. He played college football for Ole Miss (1938-1941) and professional football for the Buffalo Bills (1947-1948) and Chicago Rockets (1948).

Early years

Kozel was born in 1919 in Kenosha, Wisconsin, and attended Kenosha High School. In 1938, Kozel enrolled at the University of Wisconsin. He transferred in 1939 to the University of Mississippi.[1] Kozel played at the tackle position for the Ole Miss Rebels football team from 1939 to 1941.[2][3][4] He received a bachelor's degree in physical education from Ole Miss.[5]

Kozel served in the United States Marine Corps during World War II.[1] His brother Walter was killed while serving in the Army during the war.[6]

Professional football

In March 1947, while on terminal leave from the Marines, Kozel signed a contract to play professional football for the Buffalo Bills of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC).[1] He played for the Bills as a tackle for the during the 1947 season and first part of the 1948 season. During the 1948 season, the Bills sold Kozel to the Chicago Rockets (1948). He appeared in 17 AAFC games, seven as a starter.[7][8]

Later years

Kozel was hired in 1951 as a teacher in the physical education department at his alma mater, Kenosha High School.[9] In 1962, his car struck a passenger train traveling 90 miles per hour and was thrown 60 feet into a ditch; Kozel refused hospitalization for his injuries.[10] He died in 1982 at age 62 at the Hospitality Manor Nursing Home in Kenosha.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Eddie McKenna (March 28, 1947). "Kozel Signs As Pro Gridder: Buffalo Bisons Employ Robust Ex-KHS Tackle". Kenosha Evening News. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "Group Chet Kozel Among Chief Sophomore Grid Finds of Year: Kenosha Tackle 219 Pounds, Stars With Mississippi". Kenosha Evening News. November 15, 1939. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ "Kenosha Gridders With Ole Miss". Kenosha Evening News. October 29, 1941. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Kenosha Tackle Looms For All-Southeastern Rating With Ole Miss: Chet Kozel, 212 Pound Senior Left Tackle, Pleases Coach and Critics". Kenosha Evening News. October 24, 1941. p. 12 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b "Chester R. Kozel". Kenosha News. June 28, 1982. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Lt. Walter Kozel Killed in Army Airplane Crash". Kenosha Evening News. April 24, 1943. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Chet Kozel". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  8. ^ "Chet Kozel". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC.
  9. ^ "Kozel Joins Jaskwhich for Third Time". Kenosha News. July 13, 151. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Another Close Escape In Car-Train Collision". Kenosha News. October 5, 1962. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.