Ed Podolak

Edward Joseph Podolak (born September 1, 1947) is a former professional American football player, a running back for nine seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League and National Football League.

Ed Podolak
No. 69 status =
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1947-09-01) September 1, 1947
Atlantic, Iowa
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:Atlantic (IA)
College:Iowa
NFL Draft:1969 / Round: 2 / Pick: 48
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:4,451
Rush attempts:1,157
Rushing TDs:34
Receiving yards:2,456
Games played:104
Player stats at NFL.com

Early years

Born and raised in Atlantic, Iowa, Podolak played college football at the University of Iowa, where he was a quarterback and running back.

Playing career

Podolak was selected in the second round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, 48th overall, by the Kansas City Chiefs, and the team won Super Bowl IV in his rookie season.

During a nine-year career from 1969 to 1977, Podolak became the Chiefs' second all-time leading rusher with 4,451 yards and 34 touchdowns on 1,158 carries. He was also known for his work on special teams as a pass receiver and return man, catching 288 passes for 2,456 yards and 6 touchdowns while averaging 8.6 yards per punt and 20.5 yards per kickoff return. His 8,178 career combined yards are the second-most in the team's history. Podolak led the Chiefs in rushing four times, in receiving three times, and in punt returns three times.

In the Chiefs' playoff loss to the Miami Dolphins on Christmas Day in 1971 (still the longest game in NFL history), Podolak had a playoff-record 350 total yards: 85 rushing, 110 receiving, and 155 on returns. Podolak, who wore jersey number 14, was inducted into the Chiefs' Hall of Fame in 1989.

After football

After retirement, Podolak turned to broadcasting. He worked as a color commentator for NFL telecasts on NBC in 1978. In 1982, he began working as a commentator for Iowa Hawkeye football games on WHO radio in Des Moines and a statewide network. He worked with play-by-play announcer Jim Zabel until 1996 and then with Gary Dolphin.

See also

References
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