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Today in Patriots History
Walt Cudzik
Walt Cudzik
In memory of Walt Cudzik, born on this date 93 years ago
Born February 21, 1932 in Chicago
Died December 11, 2005 at the age of 73 in Gulf Shores, Alabama
Patriot center, 1960-1963; uniform #56 (1960), #54 (1961-63)
Signed early in the Boston Patriots inaugural 1960 offseason
Pats résumé: started every game for the Pats first four seasons; team captain
Walt Cudzik joined the Patriots in their inaugural season and played in every game from 1960 to 1963. That includes the Pats first postseason game when the team defeated Buffalo for the AFL East title as well as the 1963 AFL Championship Game versus San Diego. Walt was named to the UPI 1st Team All-AFL in 1960 and was the Pats offensive team captain in 1963.
By 1964 competition for rookies had heated up between the AFL and NFL. Holy Cross center Jon Morris was drafted by both Boston and Green Bay. The All American quickly rejected Vince Lombardi’s initial contract due to its meager salary, calling it ‘a joke’. Mike Holovak responded with a superior two-year, no-cut deal that included a bonus: a brand new Pontiac convertible. The Packers matched that offer, but then Holovak upped the ante, guaranteeing that Morris would start at center from day one. Lombardi refused to match those terms - and Morris signed with the Patriots.
Shuffled off to Buffalo
As a result of the Morris' signing, the Patriots now had one too many starting centers on the roster. Therefore Holovak traded 32-year-old Walt Kudzik, without concern that he would starting for a division rival and contender. In the long run the move worked out fine. Morris had a career that put him on the AFL All-Time Team and the Pats Hall of Fame. The short term outcome was different.
The 1964 AFL East title came down to the final game of the regular season. The defending champion Chargers were not nearly as good as they were the previous season. This meant that single game between the Pats and Bills would likely determine the 1964 league champion. Cudzik centered a Buffalo offense that was the best in the league in ’64. The Bills came out on fire and beat the Patriots handily, then took care of business a week later against San Diego. Ten years after he began playing professional football, Walt Cudzik was an important part of a championship team. That would be his final game of pro football.
Following his football career Walt Cudzik earned a law degree, and practiced as an attorney until his retirement in 2002.
Here's a tidbit from a great article on Walt Cudzik below:
WALT CUDZIK: A Resilient Champion.
LOOKING BACK By TJ Troup Many former NFL players from the decade of the 1950s attempted to continue their pro career's in the newly foun...
nflfootballjournal.blogspot.com
On October 28th at Nickerson Field in Boston in the 3rd quarter, Butch Songin on a first down and ten play on his own twenty-yard line has his pass deflected. Walt latches onto the pass and gains 11 yards. This is his only statistical play in his career.
He finishes his first year in Boston being voted Second-team All-Pro center behind the legendary Jim Otto. Much of the rest of my evaluation of Cudzik is based upon highlight reels, yet at least can state the following—he demonstrated quickness on the cut-off block on middle linebackers, was able to block defensive tackles when called upon, and his pass blocking was superb. Textbook technique and very effective.
Walt Cudzik - Pro Football Archives
Walt Cudzik Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College | Pro-Football-Reference.com
Checkout the latest stats for Walt Cudzik. Get info about his position, age, height, weight, college, draft, and more on Pro-football-reference.com.
www.pro-football-reference.com
Walt Cudzik, original Boston Patriot, dies at 73
www.patriots.com
Walter Cudzik Obituary (2005) - Mobile, AL - AL.com (Mobile)
View Walter Jacob "Walt" Cudzik's obituary, send flowers and sign the guestbook.
obits.al.com












