Wikipedia

Ed Konopasek

Edward Steven Konopasek (born April 12, 1964) is a former American football offensive tackle. A replacement player during the 1987 National Football League (NFL) strike, he played three games for the Green Bay Packers. He played college football for the Ball State Cardinals.

Ed Konopasek
No. 68
Position:Tackle
Personal information
Born: (1964-04-12) April 12, 1964 (age 60)
Gary, Indiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:289 lb (131 kg)
Career information
High school:Griffith (IN)
College:Ball State (1982–1986)
Undrafted:1987
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games played:3
Games started:3
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early life and education edit

Konopasek was born on April 12, 1964 in Gary, Indiana.[1] He attended Griffith High School in Griffith, Indiana, and is their only alumnus to play in the NFL.[2] He played football and basketball at Griffith, being a lineman in the former while a center in the latter.[3][4] In football, he was a three-year starter and played two-ways for his last two seasons, leading the team in tackles and posting 10 sacks as a senior while being named first-team all-state on defense.[4] He helped the team compile a record of 11–1 in his last year and was invited to the North–South All-Star Game.[5]

Konopasek began attending Ball State University after his graduation from Griffith in 1982 and was a member of the scout team that year.[6][7] He joined fellow Griffith graduate Mike Willis at Ball State, and both studied computer science there.[8] He began his collegiate career as a defensive tackle and lettered in 1983 while playing every game.[9][10][11] He repeated as a letterman in 1984 while switching to offensive tackle, being a full-time starter and again appearing in every game while being named honorable mention academic all-conference.[5][10][11][12]

Konopasek was named co-team captain and continued as a full-time starter in the 1985 season, starting all 11 games and extending his streak to 33 consecutive games played.[10][11] He was selected first-team academic all-conference after the year.[10] He was again co-team captain as a senior in 1986 but missed playing time due to an offseason foot injury.[5] He finished his senior year with six games played and was named for the second time first-team academic all-conference with a 3.097 grade point average (GPA).[13] He was also given the Ball State football academic award.[14]

Professional career edit

After going unselected in the 1987 NFL Draft, Konopasek was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent.[1][15] He was released on August 17 but was later brought back to the team as a replacement player during the NFL Players Association strike.[16][17] He made his NFL debut in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings and started all three strike games at tackle for the Packers before being released at the end of the strike.[1][15][18]

Personal life edit

Konopasek's brother Ken played college football as a wide receiver for the William Penn Statesmen.[19]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Ed Konopasek Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-08. Retrieved 2018-03-28.
  2. ^ "Griffith (Griffith, IN) Alumni Pro Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2018-03-09. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  3. ^ "Griffith Panthers". The Times. November 20, 1981. p. 42. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ a b "The Times' 1981 All-Star Football Team". The Times. November 29, 1981. p. 75. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ a b c McNeil, Danny (September 13, 1986). "Konopasek waiting in wings". The Times. p. 8. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  6. ^ "Ball State Sports". The Star Press. November 17, 1982. p. 15. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  7. ^ "BSU's Lymon Is National Leader". The Star Press. September 22, 1982. p. 13. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  8. ^ McNeil, Danny (September 24, 1985). "Konopasek, Willis remain optimistic". The Times. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  9. ^ "Ed Konopasek Stats". Pro Football Archives. Archived from the original on 2023-10-17. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  10. ^ a b c d "BSU's Ed Konopasek out with foot injury". Muncie Evening Press. August 12, 1986. p. 14. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  11. ^ a b c "Three seniors voted Cardinal co-captains". Muncie Evening Press. September 3, 1985. p. 10. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  12. ^ "BSU Athletes Get Academic Honor". The Star Press. November 29, 1984. p. 18. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  13. ^ "Packers Cut Ex-Cardinal". The Star Press. August 18, 1987. p. 18. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  14. ^ "Konopasek signs with Pack". The Times. May 2, 1987. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.  
  15. ^ a b "Ed Konopasek Transactions". Pro Football Archives. Archived from the original on 2023-10-17. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  16. ^ "Sports Deals". Tyrone Daily Herald. August 18, 1987. p. 5. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  17. ^ Benson, Randy (September 22, 1987). "3 Ex-BSU Players Sign NFL Contracts". The Star Press. p. 15, 17. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
  18. ^ "Ed Konopasek Career Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2023-10-17. Retrieved 2023-10-12.
  19. ^ McNeil, Danny (October 28, 1986). "Highland's Helmer, Crowel to battle". The Times. p. 19. Archived from the original on October 17, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.  
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