George Karstens

George Karstens
No. 55
PositionCenter
Personal information
Born(1924-02-09)February 9, 1924
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedDecember 5, 2002(2002-12-05) (aged 78)
Bradenton, Florida, U.S.
Height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolAustin (Chicago)
CollegeIndiana
NFL draft1949: undrafted
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games played2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

George Jacob Karstens Jr. (February 9, 1924 – December 5, 2002) was an American professional football player who was a center for one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions. He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers.

Karstens was born on February 9, 1924, in Chicago, Illinois. He attended Austin Community Academy High School there before playing college football at Indiana University Bloomington. He was the Hoosiers' starting center in most of his time with the team, earning three varsity letters.[1]

After graduating, Karstens was signed by the Detroit Lions as an undrafted free agent following the 1949 NFL draft. He appeared in two games before being waived on October 12.[2][1]

After his brief professional football career, Karstens was a long-time teacher and school principal in the Lyons and Stickney school districts. He also was a football coach and referee. He died on December 5, 2002, at the age of 78.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Lions Waiver On George Karstens". The Times Herald. October 12, 1949 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ "George Karstens Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  3. ^ "George Karstens (obituary)". Chicago Tribune – via Legacy.com.