Ralph Kurek
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
| No. 32 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Running back |
| Personal information | |
| Born | February 23, 1943 Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Watertown |
| College | Wisconsin |
| NFL draft | 1965: 20th round, 269th overall pick |
| Career history | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Ralph Kurek (born February 23, 1943) is a former player in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears from 1965 to 1970 as a running back. He played at the collegiate level at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Kurek was born Ralph Elmer Kurek on February 23, 1943, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.[1] His family later moved to Watertown, Wisconsin, and he played high school football for Watertown High School.[2]
College career
Ralph Kurek was recruited by coach Milt Bruhn out of Watertown high school to play college football at Wisconsin. Kurek appeared in 9 games in 1962, rushing for 367 yards on 67 carries. Wisconsin went 6–1 in conference, and 8–2 overall, good enough to be ranked second in the AP poll. With the graduation of starting quarterback Ron Vander Kelen, Wisconsin relied more on the ground game. Going through a bevy of starting quarterbacks, Wisconsin stumbled to a 5–4 overall finish. Kurek carried the 84 times, but could only muster 262 yards behind an offensive line that featured new starters as well. In hi senior season, Kurek carried the ball 103 times for 325. Wisconsin again finished the season in the second division with a losing record.
Playing high school football, Kurek dream of going to Notre Dame, but no scholarship offer ever arrived. In 1963, Kurek would get vindication. With under seven minutes left in the game, and Wisconsin trailing 9-7, the Badgers put together a drive. They went 80 yards in 14 plays. The winning score would come from Kurek, a one-yard scamper that put the Badgers ahead for good.[3]
