Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. A left offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s, he helped his team to three NFL titles. Raised in northern New Jersey, he graduated from Woodbridge High School and the College of William and Mary, though his college career was interrupted by two years in the US Army. Drafted in the 26th round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1948, he elected to stay in school for his master's degree; taken in the second round by the Lions in 1950, he was a star offensive lineman from the beginning, his main job protecting Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne. Playing in the pre-facemask days, Creekmur had his nose broken 13 times, but avoided major injury and never missed a game. He was named to eight Pro Bowls, was All-NFL six times, and during the 1955 season, due to the loss of other players, doubled as a defensive lineman. With Creekmur, the Lions won NFL Championships in 1952, 1953, and 1957; he retired after the 1959 season, was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996, and is also a member of the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. Looking back, he said: "I've lead a pretty lucky life for an old, beat-up, football player".
Hall of Fame Professional Football Player. A left offensive tackle for the Detroit Lions during the 1950s, he helped his team to three NFL titles. Raised in northern New Jersey, he graduated from Woodbridge High School and the College of William and Mary, though his college career was interrupted by two years in the US Army. Drafted in the 26th round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1948, he elected to stay in school for his master's degree; taken in the second round by the Lions in 1950, he was a star offensive lineman from the beginning, his main job protecting Hall of Fame quarterback Bobby Layne. Playing in the pre-facemask days, Creekmur had his nose broken 13 times, but avoided major injury and never missed a game. He was named to eight Pro Bowls, was All-NFL six times, and during the 1955 season, due to the loss of other players, doubled as a defensive lineman. With Creekmur, the Lions won NFL Championships in 1952, 1953, and 1957; he retired after the 1959 season, was named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996, and is also a member of the Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame. Looking back, he said: "I've lead a pretty lucky life for an old, beat-up, football player".
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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