Walt Yowarsky

Walter Robert Yowarsky (May 10, 1928 – November 30, 2014) was an American professional football defensive end, offensive lineman, coach, and scout in the National Football League (NFL) for 50 years.

Early life Yowarsky was born in Cleveland, Ohio, to Michael and Anna Yowarsky. He attended and played high school football at Lincoln High School.

He was also a well-known high school baseball player and was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds after high school but decided pursue football instead. Kentucky's victory over the nation's #1 ranked team in the bowl game led to an officially recognized national championship.

Professional career Yowarsky was selected in third round (29th overall) of the 1951 NFL draft by the Washington Redskins. He played until midway through the 1952 season when he entered the Air Force. He returned in 1954 and played in 11 games with 10 starts. On January 28, 1955, he was traded to the Detroit Lions, along with Jim Ricca, in exchange for LaVern Torgeson and Jim Hill. However, he only played two games for the Lions, before being released on October 3.

On October 5, 1955, he was claimed off waivers by the New York Giants, where he played until 1957. He was the starting defensive end for the Giants during their 1956 NFL Championship Game win over the Chicago Bears. Yowarsky was then traded to the San Francisco 49ers in 1958, where he finished his career.

Coaching and scouting career

Coaching After retiring from football, Yowarsky became an assistant coach and scout with the Giants from 1959 to 1960. He then became the offensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings in head coach Norm Van Brocklin in 1961 (their inaugural season in the NFL) through 1966.

In 1967, he left the Vikings organization to become offensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints, who were also playing their inaugural season in the NFL. Yowarsky resigned the position at the end of the 1968 season, along with three other assistant coaches; Jack Faulkner, George Dickson, and Bob Shaw.

In 1969, Yowarsky accepted a position as the defensive backs coach for the Atlanta Falcons, under his former colleague Van Brocklin. He finished his coaching career with the San Diego Chargers from 1972 to 1973.

Scouting After retiring from coaching, Yowarsky became a scout with the QUADRA Scouting Combine in 1974. He was hired as an area scout in the southeast by the Dallas Cowboys in 1977, a post that he would hold for 23 years. During that span, the Cowboys won three Super Bowls. He was one of the most vocal supporters in the Cowboys organization for drafting Emmitt Smith, who would go on to become the all-time rushing leader in NFL history.

Personal life Yowarsky was married to his wife, Bobbie, for 58 years, and they had three children. He served in the United States Air Force, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. Yowarsky died on November 30, 2014, in Chattanooga, Tennessee.