1961 Profile: Andy Robustelli

Defensive End
No. 81
Arnold
"Just about everyone gives Andy Robustelli credit for being the smartest pro defensive end. An All-NFL choice again, he's been the defensive leader of the stout forward wall.
Out of Stamford, Connecticut, this 35-year-old roughie is intelligent enough to assume a defensive coaching role when he decides to close out a career that began in Los Angeles."

-1961 Pro Football Handbook

"The Giants' rush line remains as granite-hard this year as last when it held enemy ball-carriers to 3.2 yards per play, tops in the NFL. Defensive end Andy Robustelli was one of four stout reasons for this stand-fast posture. Others on the defensive front for New York last year were tackles Roosevelt Grier and Dick Modzelewski and end Jim Katcavage, all of whom returned with Robustelli for 1961 battles. Robustelli, a perennial All-Pro selection, is the grizzled veteran of this terrifying quartet as he competes in his 11th campaign, his sixth with the New York Giants.
A three-time Little All-America selection, twice named to All-New England teams, Robustelli started his pro career in 1951, the 19th draft pick of the Los Angeles Rams. He won three letters in baseball as well as football during his scholarship days at Arnold College. After five years with the Rams, he was traded to the Giants for a 1956 draft choice. Few old timers in Los Angeles will forget the fabulous touchdown run he made for the Rams in 1954, lugging an intercepted pass through a veritable maze of would-be tacklers. Since checking in with the Giants, Robustelli has had a steady diet of banner years.
At 33, the oldest man on the New York defense, he stands six feet-one inch and weighs in at a muscle-packed 230 pounds. Born in Stamford, Connecticut, he lives there still- with his wife and six youngsters. Among his off-season interests are a sporting goods store and a transportation business."

-Who's Who in Pro Football (1961 Edition)

"Andy was one of the Rams' most glaring mistakes. After he'd played five spectacular seasons with them, an unknown out of little Arnold who made the pros on sheer ability, Andy was traded to the Giants in '56. The Giants immediately welded into a title unit.
Andy is their holler guy and their field leader. In 1960, he also became playing coach in charge of the forward wall. His forte is harassing passers."

-1961 Fleer No. 75

"Andy is smart at diagnosing plays before they happen. And when they do- POW! The veteran end hits like a sledgehammer."

-1961 Topps No. 90

"Andy Robustelli (81) has established himself over eleven seasons as one of the NFL's foremost defensive ends. Powerful, quick and heady, he has a rare genius for nipping running plays in the bud and harries opposing passers mercilessly.

Andy, who hails from Stamford, Conn., and attended little Arnold College, was acquired from the Rams in 1956 for a future draft choice. It was a good deal.

Robustelli is the Giants' defensive captain and also an assistant coach."

-1961 Official New York Giants Program