1959 Profile: Dick Modzelewski

Defensive Tackle
No. 77
Maryland

"Extremely strong and quick, 'Little Mo' made most of the All-American teams in 1952 at Maryland. He was obtained in the off-season by the Giants in an involved four-team deal and figures to team with Grier as the defensive tackles. 

Married, with a son, his hometown is Tarentum, Pa."

-1956 Jay Publishing

"Extremely strong and quick, 'Little Mo' was a regular at left tackle on defense last season, his fifth as a pro. He came to the Giants in a four-way mid-winter trade.

Modzelewski made good at once. He had a big day against the Browns in Cleveland; among other things he tackled his older (but smaller) brother Big Mo on the one-yard line to climax a successful goal line stand.

Married, with a son, his hometown is Tarentum, Pa."

-1957 Jay Publishing

"Dick Modzelewski, Giant tackle, is extremely strong and agile. 'Little Mo' made most of the All-American teams in 1952 when he was a big star for the University of Maryland."

-1957 Chicago Bears Official Program

"Dick has been around the NFL circuit, first with the Skins, then over to the Steelers. He went to New York in 1956 and helped spark the club to the title.
'Little Mo' (his brother Ed of the Browns is 'Big Mo') is a defensive tackle. He lives in West Natrona, Pennsylvania."

-Pro Football Handbook 1959

"Dick was the Washington Redskins' No. 2 draft choice in 1953, was traded to Pittsburgh in 1955, and from the Steelers to the Giants in 1956. He was All-America at the University of Maryland in 1951 and 1952. Dick was the outstanding lineman in the nation in '52 and played in the '52 Sugar Bowl.

Nicknamed 'Little Mo,' he plays defensive tackle for New York. His brother Ed played with the Steelers and is now with Cleveland."

-1959 N.F.L. Pro-Football Yearbook (Jay Publishing)

"Dick Modzelewski (77), who came to the Giants in 1956 by way of Maryland, the Redskins and the Steelers, has been a tower of strength at defensive left tackle ever since. Little Mo, so called because his older brother, Ed, a fullback with the Browns, is known as Big Mo, is an indomitable charger who puts his 260 pounds to effective use. Built close to the ground, he's hard to block out."

-1959 New York Giants Official Program (Yankee Stadium, November 1)

"An All-American at the University of Maryland in 1951 and '52, and the nation's outstanding lineman in the latter campaign, 'Little Mo' remains as fierce as ever in New York's defensive set-up, bottling up rival runners and applying relentless pressure on the passers. He shook up the Colts' John Unitas a few times in last year's title game.

The 6-0, 260-pound tackle was originally drafted second by Washington in 1953, then was traded to Pittsburgh in 1955 and to the Giants the following year."

-1959 Baltimore Colts Official Program (Memorial Stadium, NFL Championship Game)