Tony Butkovich
refer to caption
Butkovich carrying ball behind blocking from Buscemi (50) and Kasap (64) in 1943
No. 25
Position:Fullback
Personal information
Born:(1921-04-04)April 4, 1921
St. David, Illinois, U.S.
Died:April 18, 1945(1945-04-18) (aged 24)
Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, Japanese Empire
Career information
High school:Lewistown (IL)
College:Purdue
NFL Draft:1944 / Round: 1 / Pick: 11
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards

Anthony J. Butkovich (April 4, 1921 – April 18, 1945) was a Croatian-American football fullback from the University of Illinois and spent his last year at Purdue. He was drafted by the Cleveland Rams in the first round of the 1944 NFL Draft.

Instead of going to the Rams he enlisted in the US Marines and fought in World War II. While serving as a Marine in the 6th Division on Guadalcanal he participated in the Mosquito Bowl.[1] He died at Okinawa.

Purdue career

He led the nation in rushing in 1943; 833 yards, 142 carries (5.9 average), scoring 16 touchdowns (still tied for a Purdue single season record) and led the Boilermakers to a record of 9–0 and a share of the Big Ten Title. The Boilermakers finished the season as the No. 4 team in the nation. In conference play alone, he led the conference in rushing (629 yards over 95 carries) and scoring (13 touchdowns, 78 points).

He was selected All-American by the Associated Press (AP), International News Service, The Sporting News, United Press International (UPI) and Stars and Stripes; he was also First Team, All-Conference.

Statistics

Source:[2][3]

NCAA Collegiate Career statistics
Illinois Fighting Illini
Season Rushing
AttYardsAvgYards/GTD
1941 ----------
1942 601742.934.8--
Purdue Boilermakers
1943 1428335.992.616
NCAA Career Totals 2021,0074.971.916

Personal life

He was a native of St. David, Illinois and graduated from Lewistown High School in Lewistown, Illinois.

He was killed in action at Okinawa.[4]

References

  1. ↑ Daniel, Douglass K. (19 September 2022). "1944 Marine 'Mosquito Bowl' defines football, courage, duty". Navy Times. Retrieved 20 September 2022.
  2. ↑ "Tony Butkovich". www.sports-reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  3. ↑ "1942 Final Big Ten Football Statistics" (PDF). www.umich.edu. University of Michigan. December 2, 1942. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Remembering the fallen heroes". www.sports.espn.go.com. ESPN Internet Ventures. November 11, 2004. Retrieved September 19, 2010.

Further reading


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