Rudy Smeja

Rudolph M. Smeja (December 1, 1920 – October 1982) was an American football player. Smeja played at the end position for the University of Michigan from 1941 to 1943.[1][2][3] In November 1943, Smeja intercepted a pass and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter in a 23–6 win over the Indiana Hoosiers.[4] At the end of the 1943 season, Smeja was selected as the starting left end for the Eastern All-Star team to play in the East-West Shrine Game in San Francisco on New Year's Day 1944.[5] He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round (2nd overall pick) of the 1944 NFL Draft and played 18 games for the Bears in the 1944 and 1945 NFL seasons.[6] In the last game of the 1944 season, Smeja leaped high to spear a touchdown pass from Sid Luckman to help the Bears beat the previously unbeaten Philadelphia Eagles.[7] In 1946, Smeja played for the Philadelphia Eagles.[6] Smeja died in 1982 at age 61.[8]

Rudy Smeja
Date of birthDecember 1, 1920
Place of birthChicago, Illinois, U.S.
Date of deathOctober 1982
Place of deathunknown
Career information
Position(s)End
US collegeMichigan
Career history
As player
1941–1943Michigan
1944–1945Chicago Bears
1946Philadelphia Eagles
Career highlights and awards
Career stats

Personal life

Smeja was of Polish descent.[9]

References
  1. "1941 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
  2. "1942 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
  3. "1943 Football Team". University of Michigan, Bentley Historical Library.
  4. "Michigan Aerials Beat Indiana, 23 to 6". The Pittsburgh Press. November 7, 1943.
  5. "East Stars Working: Starting Lineup Named". The Lewiston Daily Sun. December 29, 1943.
  6. "Rudy Smeja profile". pro-football-reference.com.
  7. "Chicago Bears Bounce Eagles From Lead, 28-7". The Milwaukee Journal. November 27, 1944.
  8. "Social Security Death Index". Roots Web.
  9. Ronkowski, Steve (March 5, 2012). "Pulaski Day Special: All-Time, All-Polish Bears Team". Windy City Gridiron.
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