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The Pittsburgh Steelers have had a long-standing trend of scouting and signing previous military service members. We are all familiar with the tremendous story of Rocky Bleier and his journey back to the Steelers after being wounded in the Vietnam War. Most recently, we know the tours Alejandro Villanueva served before landing in Pittsburgh. Both Bleier’s and Villanueva’s stories are incredible and inspirational, but let’s highlight a few others that SteelerNation may not know.
Stautner was born in Bavaria, Germany in 1925 and his family made their way to America in 1928 by way of Albany, New York. Right out of high school, Stautner decided to enlist in the Marine Corps to aid in the American efforts in World War II. Little is documented about his time in the military, but he was able to fulfill his duties and enroll in classes at Boston College. After his time in college, he was drafted 22nd overall in the 1950 draft by the Steelers and the rest is history. Although he was smaller than most defensive linemen, he flourished and was able to go to 9 Pro Bowls, win 2 Super Bowls (VI, XII), and a plethora of other awards and recognitions. The Steelers have since retired his number 70, and Stautner was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
Although his time in Pittsburgh was short, Sanders has one of the best stories. Sanders was born in 1917 and played college football at Southern Methodist University in Texas. In 1939, he was drafted by the New York Giants, then signed with the Steelers in 1940. Once America entered World War II, he enlisted in the Marines and served as a first lieutenant in the Pacific campaign. While there, he fought in the major battle of Iwo Jima and lost his left hand and forearm from an explosion. Sanders also suffered large shrapnel wounds and hearing loss as well as a result. When Sanders returned to the states for rehab, the Steelers “loaned” him to the Philadelphia Eagles. By doing so, Sanders could continue to receive therapy treatments while working towards a comeback in professional football. Then in the first preseason game in 1945 against the Green Bay Packers, Sanders made his return. In a great gesture by the United States Armed Forces, they sponsored about 22,000 amputees from the military to attend the game and the crowd topped 90,000 in attendance. For a preseason game in 1945, there was a championship-game atmosphere and all eyes were on Sanders. After his time as a player, he spent time in various athletic and business ventures. Then in 1966, Sanders played a major role in bidding for, and receiving, the 16th expansion NFL team in New Orleans, now the New Orleans Saints.
Tomasic was born right outside of Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1917. After his time at Temple University, he was drafted by the Steelers in 1942. Tomasic made his professional football debut that season, then went on to enlist in the U.S. Army to help in World War II. After his time in the war, he returned to the Steelers to complete his NFL career in 1946. Tomasic was an incredibly athletic individual and entered into the professional baseball farm system that same year. After spending time in the minor league, he found himself on the 1949 New York Giant’s roster as a relief pitcher. His time was short in baseball and he retired shortly after the 1949 season.
THANK YOU to all the men and women of SteelerNation who have served and are currently serving in the armed forces. Happy Memorial Day!
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
Ernie Stautner, Defensive End, #70
United States Marine Corps (1943-1946), Pittsburgh Steelers (1950-1963)
Stautner was born in Bavaria, Germany in 1925 and his family made their way to America in 1928 by way of Albany, New York. Right out of high school, Stautner decided to enlist in the Marine Corps to aid in the American efforts in World War II. Little is documented about his time in the military, but he was able to fulfill his duties and enroll in classes at Boston College. After his time in college, he was drafted 22nd overall in the 1950 draft by the Steelers and the rest is history. Although he was smaller than most defensive linemen, he flourished and was able to go to 9 Pro Bowls, win 2 Super Bowls (VI, XII), and a plethora of other awards and recognitions. The Steelers have since retired his number 70, and Stautner was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
Jack Sanders, Guard, #72
United States Marine Corps (1943-1945), Pittsburgh Steelers (1940-1942)
Although his time in Pittsburgh was short, Sanders has one of the best stories. Sanders was born in 1917 and played college football at Southern Methodist University in Texas. In 1939, he was drafted by the New York Giants, then signed with the Steelers in 1940. Once America entered World War II, he enlisted in the Marines and served as a first lieutenant in the Pacific campaign. While there, he fought in the major battle of Iwo Jima and lost his left hand and forearm from an explosion. Sanders also suffered large shrapnel wounds and hearing loss as well as a result. When Sanders returned to the states for rehab, the Steelers “loaned” him to the Philadelphia Eagles. By doing so, Sanders could continue to receive therapy treatments while working towards a comeback in professional football. Then in the first preseason game in 1945 against the Green Bay Packers, Sanders made his return. In a great gesture by the United States Armed Forces, they sponsored about 22,000 amputees from the military to attend the game and the crowd topped 90,000 in attendance. For a preseason game in 1945, there was a championship-game atmosphere and all eyes were on Sanders. After his time as a player, he spent time in various athletic and business ventures. Then in 1966, Sanders played a major role in bidding for, and receiving, the 16th expansion NFL team in New Orleans, now the New Orleans Saints.
Andy Tomasic, Halfback, Defensive Back, #35
United States Army (1943-1945), Pittsburgh Steelers (1942, 1946)
Tomasic was born right outside of Allentown, Pennsylvania in 1917. After his time at Temple University, he was drafted by the Steelers in 1942. Tomasic made his professional football debut that season, then went on to enlist in the U.S. Army to help in World War II. After his time in the war, he returned to the Steelers to complete his NFL career in 1946. Tomasic was an incredibly athletic individual and entered into the professional baseball farm system that same year. After spending time in the minor league, he found himself on the 1949 New York Giant’s roster as a relief pitcher. His time was short in baseball and he retired shortly after the 1949 season.
THANK YOU to all the men and women of SteelerNation who have served and are currently serving in the armed forces. Happy Memorial Day!
Support SteelerNation by clicking here to read the story..
