Ted Kwalick

Thaddeus John Kwalick (born April 15, 1947) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL) and World Football League (WFL). He played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1969 to 1974 and the Oakland Raiders from 1975 to 1977. In 1975, he also played with the Philadelphia Bell of the World Football League. He was an All-Pro once, three times selected to the Pro Bowl, was All-American at Penn State, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989.

Early life Kwalick was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 15, 1947, to Thaddeus and Rose Kwalick, and grew up in McKees Rock, Pennsylvania, just a few miles from Pittsburgh. He played high school football at Montour High School for coach Bob Phillips.

He was a three-letter athlete, a high school All- American in football, and was named All-State. He was the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League’s (WPIAL) Most Valuable Player in an all-star game against a team of Texas high school players, catching nine passes and scoring his team's only touchdown.

College career Kwalik attended Pennsylvania State University (Penn State), playing tight end three years for the Nittany Lions. He was Penn State's first two-time All-American, making first-team All American in 1967 and then being named a unanimous All-American in 1968. He was also fourth in voting for the Heisman Trophy in 1968.

Over his Penn State career, Kwalick caught 86 passes for 1,343 yards and 10 touchdowns, setting school tight end records for yards and touchdowns. He ran 4.6 in the 40-yard dash. He averaged 17.1 yards per catch in 1966 and 1967, and 13 yards per catch in 1968. In 1967, he caught 33 passes for 563 yards and four touchdowns, but 17 receptions came in the first two games, after which he was double- and triple-teamed by opponents. Penn State coach Joe Paterno said of Kwalick, "'He's what God had in mind when he made a football player.'"

Kwalick was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1989. From 1969 to 1974 with the 49ers he had 164 receptions for 2,555 yards and 23 touchdowns. The 49ers had played at Kezar Stadium since 1946, and moved to Levi's Stadium in 2014.

In March 1974, he was selected by The Hawaiians in the first round (11th overall) of the WFL Pro Draft. The Hawaiians had signed over 10 NFL players, including Kwalick and Calvin Hill, but traded Kwalick's right before he ever played for the team, and he joined the Philadelphia Bell in 1975. The WFL ceased games on October 22, 1975, without finishing its second season. The Bell was coached by NFL hall of famer Willie Wood, the first black coach in modern professional football, and had former Philadelphia Eagles player Ben Hawkins, who once led the NFL in receiving, and also included such colorful personalities as King Corcorran (who led the WFL in touchdowns in 1974) and Tim Rossovich.

Personal life Kwalick earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Penn State University in 1969, and was married to Carolyn Kwalick and the father of a baby girl by 1968. He formed Tight End Sportswear, located in Santa Clara, marketing sports apparel and featuring shirts showing city skylines and great football players.

He was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame in 2005.