====== John Raymond "Johnny" Strzykalski ====== {{ men_s_football:strzykalski.jpg?296x404}} * **Nickname:** "Strike" * **Position:** Back/Half Back * **Height:** 5'9" * **Weight:** 190 lbs. * **Birthdate:** December 4, 1921 in Milwaukee, WI * **Died:** June 19, 2002 in Hendersonville, NC * **High School:** South Division in Milwaukee, WI * **Drafted:** 1945, Round 5, Boston Yanks / Green Bay Packers in the 1st round (6th overall) of the 1946 Draft \\ Though drafted by Green Bay, Strzykalski starred for the San Francisco 49ers from 1946 - their first professional season in the newly formed All-America Football Conference (AAFC) - to 1952. He was named to the Pro Bowl once (1950) and All-Pro team three times (1947, 1948, 1950). In possibly his best year, 1948, Strzykalski ran for 915 yards, ran in 4 TDs, caught 7 TD passes and picked off 3 passes. According to legend, Strzykalski broke his nose eight times during his 7 year NFL career. He was involved with the Center for the Study of Retired Athletes, a cooperative program between UNC-Chapel Hill and the NFLPA.\\ [[http://www.csra.unc.edu/pictures.htm|Pictures of Strzykalski as a study participant]]