1959 Profile: Pat Summerall

Place Kicker

No. 88

Arkansas

"Pat is the extra point and field goal specialist for the Cardinals. Last year he only missed two of 23 extra-point attempts and made eight of 18 field goal attempts for a total of 45 points. He was second best in total points scored on the Cardinal team.

In his fourth year in pro ball and third with Chicago, Pat was obtained by the Cards from the Lions. He was Detroit's 4th draft choice in 1952.

Pat set a high school record in Lake City, Florida when he caught 73 passes through 1948."

-1955 Bowman No. 52

"Pat is a long-range booter who is amazingly accurate. The big defensive end can boot field goals from any angle. Twice in his career he was almost sidelined for good with injuries, but Pat fought back and is now one of the top stars of the pro ranks.

In high school, Pat caught 73 passes in one season."

-1957 Topps No. 14

"Pat was the Detroit Lions second draft choice in 1952. He was born May 10, 1930, in Lake City, Fla. where he attended Columbia High and came up with 13 letters, four each in basketball and tennis, three in football and two each in track and baseball. In pro ball Pat has been a defensive end exclusively despite a great record as a pass receiver in high school and college.

He married Katherine Jacobs of Lake City, his high school sweetheart. He has a Bachelor's and a Master's degree in physical education. Pat is 6-4 and weighs 228."

-1957 Chicago Cardinals Official Program (Comiskey Park)

"Pat started in 1952 with the Lions and was later traded to the Cardinals. He used to be inserted as a defensive end, but now he's a strictly a place kicker. Now starting his eighth season, Pat lives in Lake City, Florida."

-Pro Football Handbook 1959

"From midfield in, place kicker Pat Summerall seldom misses.

The 29-year-old Summerall, a product of Arkansas, Jim Lee Howell's alma mater, came to New York before the 1958 season as more or less of a throw-in in a deal with the Cardinals for Lindon Crow. Big Pat, 6-4 and 235, had been a sound but nothing extra-special kicker, and a two-way end, for the Redbirds.

With the Giants, he has been sure-fire, particularly in the clutch. He hit on 14 of 25 field goal attempts and 29 of 31 extra-point tries last year. More importantly, his trusty toe provided the margin of victory against the Colts, Browns and Lions and put the Giants out in front in four other contests.

Pat has continued his winning habits. He split the uprights three times in the 23-21 opener against the Rams, beat Cleveland with his 31-yarder and also connected in the victory over the Eagles.

Pat's secret is his ability to get the ball up in the air fast, where it has a chance to find the target without being blocked. His boots take off like a mashie niblick shot. He has good range, too, with hits of 50, 49 (twice) and 46 yards to his credit.

Having those big somethings extra, like Chandler and Summerall, is a key to Giant success."

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

"For two successive weeks this season, while injuries were taking their toll of the Giants' offense, Pat accounted for all of his team's 18 points.

Drafted fourth from Arkansas by Detroit in 1952, he was shuttled to the Chicago Cardinals the following year and played a lot of defensive end. The 6-4, 235-pound Florida native was traded to New York in 1958 and has become the league's top place kicker- clicking on 30 of 30 extra points and 20 of 29 field goals for 90 points this autumn."

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