Jack Abendschan
American gridiron football player (1942–2025)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
John Jacob Abendschan Jr. (December 18, 1942 – December 15, 2025) was an American professional football player who was an offensive lineman and placekicker for the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1965 through 1975.[1] He played college football for the New Mexico Lobos.[2]
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
| No. 53 | |
|---|---|
| Positions | Guard, Kicker |
| Personal information | |
| Born | December 18, 1942 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | December 15, 2025 (aged 82) Lubbock, Texas, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Listed weight | 245 lb (111 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Eunice (NM) |
| College | New Mexico |
| Career history | |
| 1965–1975 | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
| Awards and highlights | |
Canadian Football Hall of Fame (Class of 2012) | |
Professional career
Jack Abendschan began his career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1965 and remained with them throughout his 11-year CFL career. Abendschan played offensive guard and except for 1968, he played all 16 games of the regular season every year from 1965 to 1973.[3][4]
Abendschan was also an accurate placekicker. His best field goal percentage was 63.2% (24 of 38) in 1970, his next best 60.7% (17 of 28) in 1967, considered very good for the era.
In 1968, Abendschan signed a contract with the Denver Broncos of the American Football League (AFL) but did not make the roster and he resumed his CFL career.[5]
Abendschan was part of the 54th Grey Cup championship-winning Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1966 over the Ottawa Rough Riders 29–14, in which he converted their 4 touchdowns.[6] He also played in the 55th Grey Cup the following year, the 57th Grey Cup of 1969, and the 60th Grey Cup of 1972, losses to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 1967 and 1972 and to Ottawa in 1969.
During Abendschan's time as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, he was named to the CFL's All-Star team 5 times.[1] In 2012, he was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.
Death
Abendschan died in Lubbock, Texas on December 15, 2025, at the age of 82.[2]
