Zeke Bratkowski
Encyclopedia
Edmund Raymond "Zeke" Bratkowski (born October 20, 1931 in Danville, Illinois
) is a former All-America
n quarterback
at the University of Georgia
from 1952 to 1953. He also had a fourteen year career in the NFL with the Chicago Bears
, L.A. Rams and Green Bay Packers
, followed by a 26-year coaching career. He is the father of the Atlanta Falcons
’ quarterbacks coach Bob Bratkowski
.
passing leader under Georgia coach Wally Butts
. During his three year career with the Bulldogs, he completed 360 passes for 4,863 yards. Bratkowski was considered one of college football's greatest quarterbacks of his day and was the NCAA's all-time leading passer until 1961. Today, Bratkowski still ranks sixth on Georgia's list of career passing leaders. He also led the NCAA in punting his senior year with a 42.6 yard average.
He was drafted by the Chicago Bears and played five seasons in Chicago. He played for the Los Angeles Rams for three years before being signed by Vince Lombardi
for the $100 waiver fee to become the "super sub" to Bart Starr
. In Green Bay, he was nicknamed "Uncle Zekie." He became an ideal backup and spot starter during the Lombardi championship era. In a 15 year year NFL career, Bratkowski passed for 10,345 yards and 65 touchdowns.
In the 1965 Western Division championship game versus the Baltimore Colts, Bratkowski relieved the injured Bart Starr and led the Packers to a 13-10 victory. The Packers went on to win the 1965 NFL Championship against the Cleveland Browns, in a game played on January 2, 1966.
A superbly conditioned athlete, Bratkowski was an early advocate of aerobic training for pro football players. After his playing career, he served two stints as Packer assistant coach, from 1969-’70 and from 1975-’81. He also coached the Browns, Rams, Jets and Eagles, retiring in 1996.
. He was also a quarterbacks coach with Cleveland and the Jets and worked two stints as a Packers assistant as well as the Baltimore Ravens
.
While Bratkowski was coaching the Chicago Bears quarterbacks during the 1973 season, head coach Abe Gibron
abruptly promoted him to offensive coordinator. Gibron shortly after pressed him into service for one game as a backup quarterback.
Danville, Illinois
Danville is a city in Vermilion County, Illinois, United States. It is the principal city of the'Danville, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area' which encompasses all of Danville and Vermilion County. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 32,467. It is the county seat of...
) is a former 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 quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
at the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
from 1952 to 1953. He also had a fourteen year career in the NFL with the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, L.A. Rams and 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...
, followed by a 26-year coaching career. He is the father of the Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
’ quarterbacks coach Bob Bratkowski
Bob Bratkowski
Robert "Bob" Bratkowski is the quarterbacks coach for the NFL's Atlanta Falcons. Bratkowski was formerly the Cincinnati Bengals Offensive CoordinatorFrom 1975-77, Bratkowski played wide receiver at Washington State...
.
Playing career
Bratkowski began his playing career at Schlarman High School. He was twice the SECSoutheastern Conference
The Southeastern Conference is an American college athletic conference that operates in the southeastern part of the United States. It is headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama...
passing leader under Georgia coach Wally Butts
Wally Butts
James Wallace "Wally" Butts, Jr. was an American football player and coach and college athletics administrator. He served as the head coach at the University of Georgia from 1939 to 1960, compiling a record of 140–86–9...
. During his three year career with the Bulldogs, he completed 360 passes for 4,863 yards. Bratkowski was considered one of college football's greatest quarterbacks of his day and was the NCAA's all-time leading passer until 1961. Today, Bratkowski still ranks sixth on Georgia's list of career passing leaders. He also led the NCAA in punting his senior year with a 42.6 yard average.
He was drafted by the Chicago Bears and played five seasons in Chicago. He played for the Los Angeles Rams for three years before being signed by Vince Lombardi
Vince Lombardi
Vincent Thomas "Vince" Lombardi was an American football coach. He is best known as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers during the 1960s, where he led the team to three straight league championships and five in seven years, including winning the first two Super Bowls following the 1966 and...
for the $100 waiver fee to become the "super sub" to Bart Starr
Bart Starr
Bryan Bartlett "Bart" Starr is a former professional American football player and coach. Wearing #15, he was the quarterback for the Green Bay Packers from 1956 to 1971 and head coach from 1975 to 1983, compiling a record of 52–76–3 ....
. In Green Bay, he was nicknamed "Uncle Zekie." He became an ideal backup and spot starter during the Lombardi championship era. In a 15 year year NFL career, Bratkowski passed for 10,345 yards and 65 touchdowns.
In the 1965 Western Division championship game versus the Baltimore Colts, Bratkowski relieved the injured Bart Starr and led the Packers to a 13-10 victory. The Packers went on to win the 1965 NFL Championship against the Cleveland Browns, in a game played on January 2, 1966.
A superbly conditioned athlete, Bratkowski was an early advocate of aerobic training for pro football players. After his playing career, he served two stints as Packer assistant coach, from 1969-’70 and from 1975-’81. He also coached the Browns, Rams, Jets and Eagles, retiring in 1996.
Coaching career
After his playing career, Bratkowski became quarterback coach/offensive coordinator for Chicago, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and with the New York JetsNew York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He was also a quarterbacks coach with Cleveland and the Jets and worked two stints as a Packers assistant as well as the Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are a professional football franchise based in Baltimore, Maryland.The Baltimore Ravens are officially a quasi-expansion franchise, having originated in 1995 with the Cleveland Browns relocation controversy after Art Modell, then owner of the Cleveland Browns, announced his...
.
While Bratkowski was coaching the Chicago Bears quarterbacks during the 1973 season, head coach Abe Gibron
Abe Gibron
Abraham Gibron was an American football coach and player. He is best remembered for his tenure as head coach of the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He played in the NFL as an offensive lineman for the Cleveland Browns, the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Bears...
abruptly promoted him to offensive coordinator. Gibron shortly after pressed him into service for one game as a backup quarterback.