Robert E. Popelka (born November 20, 1949) is a former American football player.
Popelka was raised in Temple, Texas, and played college football as a defensive back for Southern Methodist University. Popelka played tailback in high school but was converted to defense at SMU.[1] In 1971, he intercepted a pass and returned it 76 yards for a touchdown to help SMU to an 18–17 upset victory over Texas Tech.[2][3] He was a consensus first-team selection to the 1972 College Football All-America Team.[4] He was also twice selected as an All-Southwest Conference player.[5] SMU coach Hayden Fry said of Popelka: "Robert is the best defensive back in America. He has the tools and equipment to do it all. He has 9.7 speed, great quickness, and excellent judgment and timing."[6] He also won the Southwest Conference's Kern Tips Memorial Award in 1972 as the conference's outstanding senior football player.[7][8]
Popelka was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 14th round of the 1973 NFL draft,[9] He was considered to be too small and too slow for the NFL.[10]
Popelka was inducted into the SMU Hall of Fame in 1983.[5]
