NWO Golf Links January 2017

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Football Great Bob Schnelker Dies in Florida
On December 12th, 2016,
there was a small obituary
Robert L. Schnelker. It caught
my eye because my father
had taken me to meet the NFL
star in 1961, but it was what
I learned later about the local
hero that made me follow his
football career.
Bob Schnelker grew up in
the small town of Upper
Sandusky, Ohio and was a
standout on the great teams
USHS produced during and
after World War II.
He graduated from USHS
in 1946 and was a member
of the Bowling Green State
University Football team
during his collegiate years.
In 1950, he was drafted by
the Browns, but Uncle Sam
came calling and he spent
two years serving his country
in the Marines.
When he returned to the
Browns, he was traded to
the New York Giants, who
had a young quarterback, by
the name of Frank Gifford.
Schnelker became a favorite
target for Gifford, as well
as, an exceptional blocking
tight end. Vince Lombardi
was the Giants offensive line
coach during Schnelker’s
early playing career and Bob
learned at the hands of the
master.
While with the Giants,
Schnelker played in three
World Championships and
two Pro Bowls. He was a
member of the 1956 Giants
team that won the NFL
Championship versus the
Chicago Bears.
After his playing career
ended in 1963, he entered
the coaching ranks and spent
time with the Rams, Chargers,
Dolphins, Chiefs, Lions,
Packers and the Vikings.
Schnelker was a member
of the coaching staff of the
Lombardi led, Green Bay
Packers for two Super Bowl
wins.
Why am I writing about a
football legend in a golf
magazine?
Well, the rest of the story is
about Bob’s love of golf. He
was a member of several
By Fred Altvater
NWO Golf Links