Gern Nagler

Robert Gern Nagler (February 23, 1932 – April 9, 2020) was an American professional football player who was an end for eight seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Santa Clara Broncos.

Early life Nagler was born in Marysville, California and raised in nearby Arboga He attended Marysville High School (class of 1949), where he was an all-league selection in football his junior and senior years. He attended the University of Santa Clara (class of 1953), majoring in history,

NFL career Nagler was selected 168th overall in the 14th round of the 1953 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. Prior to the season starting, the Browns completed a fifteen-player trade—which set the NFL record for the largest trade ever executed—that sent Nagler and nine other players to the Baltimore Colts. The Colts then waived him prior to the start of the 1953 NFL season. He was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cardinals. In his rookie season, Nagler set the Cardinals team record for receptions in a rookie season, with 43.

Nagler missed the 1954 NFL season due to service in the United States Army. While posted at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, lieutenant Nagler helped coach the base football team to a perfect 12-0 record and the All-Service Championship, winning the 1954 Poinsettia Bowl.

He returned to the Cardinals in 1955, spending the next four seasons with the club. Nagler earned a Pro Bowl selection in 1958.

Following his Pro Bowl year, Nagler was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers and spent one season with the team. He was moved to the Cleveland Browns as part of a four-player New Year's Eve trade that included Steelers quarterback Len Dawson. Nagler finished his playing career after the 1961 NFL season, after two seasons with the Browns.

NFL career statistics Legend Led the league Bold Career high

Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1953 CRD 11 11 43 610 14.2 41 6 1955 CRD 11 5 7 218 31.1 74 3 1956 CRD 8 7 14 268 19.1 49 4 1957 CRD 12 12 27 475 17.6 83 4 1958 CRD 12 11 36 469 13.0 47 5 1959 PIT 12 5 14 222 15.9 35 2 1960 CLE 12 11 36 616 17.1 53 3 1961 CLE 13 13 19 241 12.7 21 1 91 75 196 3,119 15.9 83 28

Personal life and death Following retirement from the NFL, Nagler worked in various aspects of the farming and agriculture industry, splitting time between southern California and the Hillsboro, Oregon area.