Dick Bielski
Encyclopedia
Richard Adam Bielski is a former American football
running back
in the National Football League
for the Philadelphia Eagles
, Dallas Cowboys
, and the Baltimore Colts
. He played college football
at the University of Maryland
and was drafted
in the first round (ninth overall) of the 1955 NFL Draft. Bielski was also selected by the Dallas Cowboys
in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft
. Bielski went to one Pro Bowl
in 1961
.
with Patterson Park High School
He signed with the University of Maryland
where he played on offense and defense as a fullback
and linebacker
. He was also an excellent placekicker
.
In 1954
he was a preseason All-America
n candidate, but injuries affected his level of play during the season. Still, he was able to finish his college career averaging more than 5 yards per carry and was considered one of the best fullback
s in the country along with Alan Ameche
. At the end of the year he was selected to play in the Chicago College All-Star Game, Senior Bowl
and the North-South Shrine Game, where he was voted the outstanding player of the game.
in the first round of the 1955 NFL Draft, becoming the first running back
from the University of Maryland
to be drafted this high.
During his first years, Bielski didn't live up to expectations at fullback
and had a greater impact as a placekicker
, so being a very versatile player, in 1957
the Eagles moved him to tight end
.
After the 1959 season
, the Eagles left him off their list of players who were exempt from the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft
.
in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft
.
During those early years the Cowboys' roster was in a constant state of flux, but he was part of the nucleus of a good offense, that was composed by Eddie LeBaron
, Don Meredith
, Don Perkins
, Frank Clarke
and Billy Howton
.
In 1961
he earned his only Pro Bowl
berth, with career highs of 26 receptions for 377 yards and 3 touchdown
s. He also took over the placekicker
duties from Fred Cone, for the final five games of the season. Bielski became part of the franchise's legacy of Pro Bowl
tight end
s that includes: Jim Doran
, Lee Folkins
, Mike Ditka
, Billy Joe Dupree
, Jackie Smith
, Doug Cosbie
, Jay Novacek
and Jason Witten
.
During the 1962 offseason
, needing help on defense, the Cowboys traded him to the Baltimore Colts
in a three-team deal. The Colts then sent a high draft pick to the Saint Louis Cardinals, and in return the Cardinals sent safety/punter Jerry Norton
to the Cowboys. Dallas then traded a draft pick to the Green Bay Packers
to pick up tight end
Lee Folkins
, who replaced Bielski.
before retiring. In a nine-year career he had 107 receptions for 1,305 yards, 229 rushing yards and 12 touchdown
s. He also kicked 58 extra points
and 26 field goals.
for four seasons, and as a wide receivers coach
for the Baltimore Colts
under head coach John Sandusky
. Bielski coached the Washington Federals of the United States Football League
as offensive coordinator
and then head coach for the final 17 games of the 1984 season, going 3–14.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
for the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
, and the Baltimore Colts
History of the Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls....
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
and was drafted
NFL Draft
The National Football League Draft is an annual event in which the National Football League teams select eligible college football players and it is their most common source of player recruitment. The basic design of the draft is each team is given a position in the drafting order in reverse order...
in the first round (ninth overall) of the 1955 NFL Draft. Bielski was also selected by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft
1960 NFL Expansion Draft
The 1960 NFL Expansion Draft was a National Football League draft in which a new expansion team, named the Dallas Cowboys, selected its first players. The NFL awarded Dallas, Texas a franchise to compete for revenue with Lamar Hunt's Dallas Texans of the upstart American Football League...
. Bielski went to one Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
in 1961
1961 NFL season
The 1961 NFL season was the 42nd regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 14 teams with the addition of the Minnesota Vikings, after the team's owners declined to be charter members of the new American Football League. The schedule was also expanded from 12 games per...
.
Early years
Bielski was an All-Maryland Scholastic Association fullbackFullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
with Patterson Park High School
He signed with the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
where he played on offense and defense as a fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
and linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
. He was also an excellent placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
.
In 1954
1954 Maryland Terrapins football team
The 1954 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in National Collegiate Athletic Association college football in its second season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference. . Maryland, with its rout against , 74–13, set an ACC record-high for scoring that stood...
he was a preseason All-America
All-America
An All-America team is an honorary sports team composed of outstanding amateur players—those considered the best players of a specific season for each team position—who in turn are given the honorific "All-America" and typically referred to as "All-American athletes", or simply...
n candidate, but injuries affected his level of play during the season. Still, he was able to finish his college career averaging more than 5 yards per carry and was considered one of the best fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
s in the country along with Alan Ameche
Alan Ameche
Lino Dante "Alan" Ameche , nicknamed "The Horse", was an American football player who played six seasons with the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League after winning the Heisman Trophy in college at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He was elected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first...
. At the end of the year he was selected to play in the Chicago College All-Star Game, Senior Bowl
Senior Bowl
The Senior Bowl is a post-season college football exhibition game played in Mobile, Alabama which showcases the best NFL Draft prospects of those collegiate players who have completed their eligibility. First played in 1950 in Jacksonville, Florida, the game moved to Mobile's Ladd Peebles Stadium...
and the North-South Shrine Game, where he was voted the outstanding player of the game.
Philadelphia Eagles
He was drafted by the Philadelphia EaglesPhiladelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the first round of the 1955 NFL Draft, becoming the first running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
from the University of Maryland
University of Maryland, College Park
The University of Maryland, College Park is a top-ranked public research university located in the city of College Park in Prince George's County, Maryland, just outside Washington, D.C...
to be drafted this high.
During his first years, Bielski didn't live up to expectations at fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
and had a greater impact as a placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
, so being a very versatile player, in 1957
1957 NFL season
The 1957 NFL season was the 38th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended when the Detroit Lions crushed the Cleveland Browns in the NFL Championship Game, 59–14.-Major rule changes:...
the Eagles moved him to tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
.
After the 1959 season
1959 NFL season
The 1959 NFL season was the 40th regular season of the National Football League. Tragedy struck as NFL Commissioner Bert Bell died of a heart attack on October 11 at Philadelphia's Franklin Field while watching the Philadelphia Eagles and the Pittsburgh Steelers play...
, the Eagles left him off their list of players who were exempt from the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft
1960 NFL Expansion Draft
The 1960 NFL Expansion Draft was a National Football League draft in which a new expansion team, named the Dallas Cowboys, selected its first players. The NFL awarded Dallas, Texas a franchise to compete for revenue with Lamar Hunt's Dallas Texans of the upstart American Football League...
.
Dallas Cowboys
Bielski was acquired by the Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft
1960 NFL Expansion Draft
The 1960 NFL Expansion Draft was a National Football League draft in which a new expansion team, named the Dallas Cowboys, selected its first players. The NFL awarded Dallas, Texas a franchise to compete for revenue with Lamar Hunt's Dallas Texans of the upstart American Football League...
.
During those early years the Cowboys' roster was in a constant state of flux, but he was part of the nucleus of a good offense, that was composed by Eddie LeBaron
Eddie LeBaron
Edward Wayne LeBaron, Jr. is a former American football quarterback in the 1950s and early 1960s in the National Football League.-Early years:LeBaron graduated from Oakdale High School in Oakdale, California....
, Don Meredith
Don Meredith
Joseph Don "Dandy Don" Meredith was an American football quarterback, sports commentator and actor. He spent all nine seasons of his professional playing career with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League . He was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his last three years as a player...
, Don Perkins
Don Perkins
Donald Anthony Perkins is a former American football halfback who spent eight seasons with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys.-Early years:...
, Frank Clarke
Franklin Clarke
Franklin Clarke is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Cleveland Browns and Dallas Cowboys.He was named after Franklin D...
and Billy Howton
Billy Howton
William Harris "Billy" Howton is a former American football end who played 12 seasons in the National Football League . He played college football at Rice University. He caught a total 503 career passes for a total of 8,459 yards...
.
In 1961
1961 NFL season
The 1961 NFL season was the 42nd regular season of the National Football League. The league expanded to 14 teams with the addition of the Minnesota Vikings, after the team's owners declined to be charter members of the new American Football League. The schedule was also expanded from 12 games per...
he earned his only Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
berth, with career highs of 26 receptions for 377 yards and 3 touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s. He also took over the placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
duties from Fred Cone, for the final five games of the season. Bielski became part of the franchise's legacy of Pro Bowl
Pro Bowl
In professional American football, the Pro Bowl is the all-star game of the National Football League . Since the merger with the rival American Football League in 1970, it has been officially called the AFC–NFC Pro Bowl, matching the top players in the American Football Conference against those...
tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
s that includes: Jim Doran
Jim Doran
James Robert Doran is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys . He played college football at Iowa State University. He was a two-way player, playing both on offense and defense...
, Lee Folkins
Lee Folkins
Lloyd Leroy Folkins is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League from 1961-1965 for the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at the University of Washington and was drafted in the sixth round of the 1961...
, Mike Ditka
Mike Ditka
Michael Keller Ditka, Jr. is a former American football NFL player, television commentator, and coach. Ditka coached the Chicago Bears for 11 years and New Orleans Saints for three years. Ditka and Tom Flores are the only two people to win Super Bowls as a player, an assistant coach, and a head...
, Billy Joe Dupree
Billy Joe Dupree
Billy Joe DuPree is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League who played his entire career for the Dallas Cowboys.-Early years:DuPree was born and reared in Monroe, Louisiana...
, Jackie Smith
Jackie Smith
Jackie Larue Smith is a former professional American football player in the National Football League. He played tight end for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys from 1963 to 1978. He has career marks of 480 receptions, 7,918 yards, and 40 touchdowns...
, Doug Cosbie
Doug Cosbie
Douglas Durant Cosbie is a former professional American football player in the National Football League who was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft. A 6'6", 236-lb. tight end from Santa Clara University, Cosbie played his entire NFL career for the Cowboys from...
, Jay Novacek
Jay Novacek
Jay McKinley Novacek is a former American football tight end in the National Football League who played for the St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals and the Dallas Cowboys . Novacek was a five-time Pro Bowler, who was selected to play each year from 1991 through 1995...
and Jason Witten
Jason Witten
Christopher Jason Witten is an American football tight end who plays for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football at the University of Tennessee....
.
During the 1962 offseason
1962 NFL season
The 1962 NFL season was the 43rd regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, CBS signed a contract with the league to televise all regular-season games for a $4.65 million annual fee....
, needing help on defense, the Cowboys traded him to the Baltimore Colts
Baltimore Colts
Baltimore Colts may refer to the following football teams:* Baltimore Colts , an All-America Football Conference franchise and National Football League franchise that disbanded after the 1950 season...
in a three-team deal. The Colts then sent a high draft pick to the Saint Louis Cardinals, and in return the Cardinals sent safety/punter Jerry Norton
Jerry Norton
Jerry Ray Norton is a former professional American football safety and punter in the National Football League for the Philadelphia Eagles, the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals, the Dallas Cowboys, and the Green Bay Packers. He was selected to five Pro Bowls...
to the Cowboys. Dallas then traded a draft pick to the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions...
to pick up tight end
Tight end
The tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
Lee Folkins
Lee Folkins
Lloyd Leroy Folkins is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League from 1961-1965 for the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at the University of Washington and was drafted in the sixth round of the 1961...
, who replaced Bielski.
Baltimore Colts
He played two more seasons with the Baltimore ColtsBaltimore Colts
Baltimore Colts may refer to the following football teams:* Baltimore Colts , an All-America Football Conference franchise and National Football League franchise that disbanded after the 1950 season...
before retiring. In a nine-year career he had 107 receptions for 1,305 yards, 229 rushing yards and 12 touchdown
Touchdown
A touchdown is a means of scoring in American and Canadian football. Whether running, passing, returning a kickoff or punt, or recovering a turnover, a team scores a touchdown by advancing the ball into the opponent's end zone.-Description:...
s. He also kicked 58 extra points
Convert
The convert or try, in American football known as "point after", and Canadian football "Point after touchdown", is a one-scrimmage down played immediately after a touchdown during which the scoring team is allowed to attempt to score an extra one point by kicking the ball through the uprights , or...
and 26 field goals.
Personal life
After his playing career, he enter the coaching ranks. He served as an assistant coach with the Washington RedskinsWashington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
for four seasons, and as a wide receivers coach
Wide receivers coach
A wide receivers coach is a coach in charge of the wide receivers in gridiron football. The wide receivers coach typically operates under a team's offensive coordinator. This coach also typically resides in the coach's box on gameday, often accompanied by or in place of the offensive coordinator....
for the Baltimore Colts
History of the Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls....
under head coach John Sandusky
John Sandusky
John Thomas Sandusky, Jr. was an American football offensive and defensive tackle in the National Football League. He played for the Cleveland Browns and the Green Bay Packers ....
. Bielski coached the Washington Federals of the United States Football League
United States Football League
The United States Football League was an American football league which was in active operation from 1983 to 1987. It played a spring/summer schedule in its first three seasons and a traditional autumn/winter schedule was set to commence before league operations ceased.The USFL was conceived in...
as offensive coordinator
Offensive coordinator
An offensive coordinator is a member of the coaching staff of a gridiron football team who is in charge of the offense. Generally, along with his defensive counterpart, he represents the second level of command structure after the head coach...
and then head coach for the final 17 games of the 1984 season, going 3–14.