Milton College’s most impressive player (because the college is now defunct), Andy Robustelli played both ways at DE and T.
He’d be selected in the 19th round of the 1951 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams.
Robustelli made the team and played for the Rams through 1955.
Traded to the New York, he’d play for the Giants from ’56-’64.
During that time with the Giants, Robustelli developed quite a reputation as a fearsome pass rusher and fantastic read/ react lineman.
Andy only missed one game over his entire playing career.
Worked one year with NBC as a color man in 1965.
Diversified his holdings into leisure travel lifestyles and founded a sports marketing company.
In 1973, Robustelli was approached by Giants’ owner Wellington Mara to take over the front office of the team.
He headed day to day operations for the franchise through the 1978 season.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Italian Sports Hall of Fame
Walter Camp Man of the Year
New York Giants Ring of Honor
Bert Bell Award
Pro Bowl 1953, ’55-57, ’59-’61
All Pro 1953, ’55-’56, 1958-’60
Second Team AP 1952, ’54, ’57, ’62
NFL Player of the Year 1962
NOTES:
Robustelli has an impressive lineage of family who have played football including grandsons who played in the Arena Football League and CFL as well as former World League defensive lineman and great nephew Dan Sileo.
EPITAPH:
5/31/2011- Andy passed away due to complications from surgery for a kidney stone.
Pete Holohan switched from QB to TE at Notre Dame playing there from 1977-’81.
In 32 contests, Pete caught 63 passes for 983 yards and 2 TDs.
7th round choice of the San Diego Chargers.
For much of his career in the Air Coryell offense, Holohan played second fiddle to AP TE Kellen Winslow.
Although he started very few games, in 1984, Holohan caught a 54 passes for a career high 734 yards and a TD.
Joined the Los Angeles Rams in 1988, where he caught passes from ascending QB Jim Everett.
The three years spent with the Rams would be the 3 most consecutive productive seasons of Holohan’s career.
Caught a career high 59 passes in ’88 for 640 yards and 3 TDs.
Then another 510 yards on 51 receptions (2 TDs) in 1989.
After the 1990 season, in which Pete caught 49 passes for 475 yards and 2 TDs, he signed with the Chiefs.
Caught 13 passes for 113 yards and 2 TDs for KC.
Played one final season in Cleveland in 1992 catching 20 passes for 174 yards.
ACCOLADES:
Greater Syracuse Sports Hall of Fame
NOTES:
I was a big LA Rams fan back in the 80s and I loved the Ernie Zampese days with Jim Everett at the helm. It seemed like they were the only ones who could challenge the 49ers domination. Anyway, I played fantasy football as a kid even back then with newspapers and magazines- and I even knew back then Pete was a solid but vastly underrated TE.
I’ve been trying to find Pete for years, but trusting in the fact I haven’t seen him sign TTM, I jumped at this Fleer 90 to add to the collection. He’s got quite a few nice cards, but many of them are very expensive autographed so I consider myself very lucky.
Chipping away here at my set needs for Greg Bell, I’d still try to nab him on a few more cards if he popped up for a paid signing. Since I was able to get him on both of these cards at a real nice price via eBay, I jumped at it since he doesn’t sign through the mail often- if at all.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
