Tom Brzoza

Last updated

Tom Brzoza
Born: (1956-08-29) August 29, 1956 (age 67)
New Castle, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Career information
Position(s) Center, Guard
Height6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight250 lb (110 kg)
College University of Pittsburgh
High school Neshannock Township
NFL draft 1978 / Round: 11 / Pick: 300
Drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers
Career history
As player
1974–1977 Pittsburgh Panthers
Career highlights and awards

Thomas Francis Brzoza (born August 29, 1956) is a former American football player. He played college football at the center and guard positions for the University of Pittsburgh from 1974 to 1977. [1] [2] [3] [4] He was a consensus first-team center on the 1977 College Football All-America Team. [5] [6] He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 11th round of the 1978 NFL Draft, [7] but he was injured and released in August 1978. Brzoza hired an attorney and made a claim that the practice session in which he was injured violated NFL off-season regulations against conducting practices with shoulder pads; he reached a settlement with the Steelers in March 1979. [8] [9]

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References

  1. Russ Franke (March 30, 1975). "Hard Knocks Educate Pitt's Brzoza". The Pittsburgh Press. p. D5 via Newspapers.com.
  2. Jack Atzinger (November 24, 1975). "Brzoza has big role in Panthers success". New Castle News. p. 25 via Newspapers.com.
  3. Marino Parascenzo (October 28, 1976). "Who Is 67 for Panthers? Tom Brzoza, of Course". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 14 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Brzoza's Position Center of Action". Colorado Springs Gazette Telegraph. August 31, 1977. p. 8C via Newspapers.com.
  5. "2014 NCAA Football Records: Consensus All-America Selections" (PDF). National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). 2014. p. 6. Retrieved August 16, 2014.
  6. "Pitt Football's All-Time First Team All-Americans". PittsburghPanthers.com. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
  7. "Tom Brzoza NFL Stats and Bio". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved March 13, 2023.
  8. "Brzoza fights Steelers". Valley Independent, Monessen, PA. September 16, 1978.
  9. "Brzoza Wins Settlement From Steelers". Tyrone Daily Herald, Tyrone, PA. March 8, 1979.