Professional Football Player, Coach. For ten seasons (1951 to 1960), he played at the quarterback and defensive back positions in the Canadian Football League with the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders. Born Norbert Wirkowski, he was a three-sport athlete (football, baseball and basketball) at Crane Technical High School in his native Chicago. Following his service with the United States Army Corps of Engineers during World War II, he enrolled at the University of Miami (Ohio) and played collegiate football under the guidance of Hall of Fame coach Woody Hayes. He could have played professional baseball, as he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs. However, he chose to pursue a professional football career and signed with Toronto of the CFL. He contributed to the Argonauts Grey Cup Title in 1952. After retiring as a player, he served as head coach of the Argonauts from 1962 until 1964, but failed to produce a winning season during his tenure. He helped establish a football program at York University and served as their longtime head coach, in addition to the school's athletic director. He is a member of the University of Miami (Ohio) Athletics Hall of Fame.
Professional Football Player, Coach. For ten seasons (1951 to 1960), he played at the quarterback and defensive back positions in the Canadian Football League with the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Calgary Stampeders. Born Norbert Wirkowski, he was a three-sport athlete (football, baseball and basketball) at Crane Technical High School in his native Chicago. Following his service with the United States Army Corps of Engineers during World War II, he enrolled at the University of Miami (Ohio) and played collegiate football under the guidance of Hall of Fame coach Woody Hayes. He could have played professional baseball, as he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs. However, he chose to pursue a professional football career and signed with Toronto of the CFL. He contributed to the Argonauts Grey Cup Title in 1952. After retiring as a player, he served as head coach of the Argonauts from 1962 until 1964, but failed to produce a winning season during his tenure. He helped establish a football program at York University and served as their longtime head coach, in addition to the school's athletic director. He is a member of the University of Miami (Ohio) Athletics Hall of Fame.
Bio by: C.S.
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