Bob Krieger

Robert E. Krieger (May 2, 1918 – October 17, 1980) was an American professional football end. After earning all-city honors in high school, he played college football for the Dartmouth Indians from 1937 to 1940. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) in 1941 and was the only player on the team to start all 11 games that season. Krieger served in World War II in the United States Army Air Forces before returning to the Eagles for a second and final season in 1946. Early life Robert E. Krieger was born on May 2, 1918, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. His father, George, played college football at Heidelberg University and later was a coach. Krieger attended West High School in Minneapolis, where he competed in football, baseball and basketball. He played end with the football team before later switching to fullback. Considered a triple-threat man, Krieger was described by The Minneapolis Journal as "probably one of the finest backs" in conference history, and the paper said his runs "were a poetry of motion". After high school, Krieger enrolled at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. Krieger then earned varsity letters the following three years. He won a starting role in 1939, beginning at right halfback before being shifted to left halfback, and later to end. Krieger helped the 1939 Dartmouth team to a record of 5–3–1 and posted two touchdowns in a win that year against the Yale Bulldogs. He remained starting end as a senior in 1940, as Dartmouth went 5–4. Krieger kicked the game-winning field goal in Dartmouth's victory in the Fifth Down Game over Cornell. At the conclusion of his collegiate career, he was named to the Eastern College All-Star team. While at Dartmouth, Krieger also spent time with the basketball team.

Professional career After going unselected in the 1941 NFL draft, Krieger signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in August 1941 as an undrafted free agent. Playing left end, he appeared in and started all 11 games for the 1941 Eagles, the only player on the team to do so. Krieger caught 19 passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns, placing second on the Eagles and 10th in the NFL in receiving. With 12 points, he was the Eagles' fourth-leading scorer on a team that went 2–8–1. During the war, Krieger flew over 30 missions in Germany piloting a B-24 Liberator bomber. A lieutenant, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters. Krieger finished the season with two receptions for 47 yards. In his NFL career, he appeared in 18 games, 13 as a starter, and caught 21 passes for 287 yards and two touchdowns. He married in Minnesota, after which he flew to Wisconsin and played in an Eagles game the day after his marriage. Two years later, he served as a part-time assistant coach and scout for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. With his wife, Krieger had two daughters and a son. His son, also named Bob, played ice hockey. Krieger died on October 17, 1980, in Minneapolis.