George Kenneth Tarasovic (May 6, 1930 – October 24, 2019) was an American professional football player of Rusyn or Slovak descent. He played college football for the Boston College Eagles and LSU Tigers. He played 15 years in the National Football League (NFL) with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Denver Broncos.[1]
 Tarasovic on a 1952 Bowman football card | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | May 6, 1930 Granville, New York, U.S. |
| Died: | October 24, 2019 (aged 89) Savannah, Georgia, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| College: | LSU |
| Position: | Linebacker/Center |
| NFL draft: | 1952 / round: 2 / pick: 18 |
| Career history | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
His father's family was from a village and municipality located in today's northern Slovakia, part of the former Austro-Hungarian Empire.
College career
editTarasovic played one season at Boston College before leaving the school for personal reasons. After one year of junior college, he transferred to LSU. With the Tigers, he was recognized as an All American offensive lineman and a Southeastern Conference all star as a linebacker. [1]
Professional career
editTarasovic was drafted in the second round of the 1952 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his rookie season, he started nine games for Pittsburgh, recovering four fumbles. [1]
He played 15 seasons in Pro Football, mainly in the National Football League with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also spent time with the NFL Philadelphia Eagles and the American Football League's Denver Broncos. He missed the 1954 and 1955 seasons due to military service.[2]
Tarasovic was named to the UPI 2nd team All-NFL squad in 1959, and he is a member of the Western Pennsylvania Football Hall of Fame. Former New York Giants running back Alex Webster called Tarasovic "One of the toughest SOBs I ever played against."
Personal life
editGeorge's brother, Phil Tarasovic, was captain of the 1955 Yale Bulldogs football team,[3] and was also drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
During his career, Tarasovic showed an interest in politics, serving as a Democratic Party committeeman. In 1963, he ran for justice of the peace in his town, but was defeated[4]
After he retired, Tarasovic settled in York, Pennsylvania. He later moved to Savannah, Georgia,[1] where he died on October 24, 2019.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d "The toughest Pittsburgh Steeler with a giving heart: Remembering George Tarasovic". York Daily Record. November 7, 2019.
- ^ "1957 Topps # 39 George Tarasovic Pittsburgh Steelers (Football Card)".
- ^ "Year By Year Scores: 1955". Yale Football Media Guide. 1964. p. 72. Retrieved November 26, 2024 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Freedman, Lew (2009). Pittsburgh Steelers: The Complete Illustrated History. MBI Publishing. p. 60. ISBN 9780760336458.
- ^ "George Kenneth Tarasovic". Legacy.com. Retrieved November 8, 2019.