Norm Purucker
| Michigan Wolverines | |
|---|---|
| Position | Halfback |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | June 24, 1917 Youngstown, Ohio |
| Died: | November 12, 2014 (age 97) Boardman, Ohio |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Career history | |
| College | Michigan (1936–1938) |
| High school | Boardman (OH) |
Norman B. Purucker (June 24, 1917[1] – November 12, 2014[2]) was an American football player.
Early years
[edit]A native of Youngstown, Ohio, Purucker was the son of Frederick Purucker, a pipe fitter at a steel mill,[3] who later worked as a meat cutter at a market.[4] The family moved to Boardman, Ohio, while Purucker was a child. He attended Boardman High School where he was a star in football, basketball and track and field. The Vindicator called him "the greatest all-around athlete in Boardman history."[2] In 1980, he became the first person inducted into the Boardman High School Hall of Fame.[2]
University of Michigan
[edit]Purucker enrolled at the University of Michigan and played at the halfback and punter positions for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1936 to 1938. He was also a sprinter on the Michigan track team in 1938 and 1939.[2]
Professional football
[edit]Purucker signed with the Green Bay Packers in June 1939.[5][6] but was released in September 1939 after reporting late due to his attendance at summer classes at Michigan.[7] He filed a $2,000 lawsuit against the Packers that he had been promised $175 per game, regardless of whether he played. Purucker further alleged that he was released after sustaining an injury in a game against the Texas All-Stars.[8]
Later years
[edit]In January 1942, Purucker was accepted as a physical instructor with the United States Navy.[9] He later worked as a real estate broker and income tax consultant. He died in Boardman, Ohio, in 2014 at age 97.[2]
References
[edit]- ^ Ancestry.com. Ohio, Birth Index, 1908-1964 [database on-line].
- ^ a b c d e "Norman B. Purucker". The Vindicator. November 16, 2014.
- ^ Census Place: Boardman, Mahoning, Ohio; Roll: T625_1412; Page: 8B; Enumeration District: 105; Image: 561. Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line].
- ^ Census Place: Boardman, Mahoning, Ohio; Roll: 1841; Page: 31B; Enumeration District: 0100; Image: 413.0; FHL microfilm: 2341575. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line].
- ^ "Another Michigan Ace Signed by Packers: Halfback Purucker Is Latest To Join Team". Green Bay Press-Gazette. June 19, 1939. p. 13 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Purucker Joins Packers". The Pittsburgh Press. July 13, 1939. p. 25.
- ^ "Purucker Is Released". The Milwaukee Journal. September 12, 1939.
- ^ "Years Ago". Youngstown News. December 5, 2014.
- ^ "Norm Purucker Accepted by Navy". The Ludington Daily News. January 22, 1942. p. 5.