1969 Profiles: Pete Gogolak and Curley Johnson

PETE GOGOLAK
Place Kicker
No. 3
Cornell
"Pete was discharged from the U.S. Army right before the 1968 season began. He went on to lead the Giants in scoring with 78 points. Gogo kicked 36 consecutive extra points last season.
He has twice kicked four field goals in a single contest. Pete played in the AFL, too."

-1969 Topps No. 62


CURLEY JOHNSON
Punter
No. 33
Houston
"Big and fast, this former University of Houston operative can play either halfback or fullback. Johnson averaged five yards per carry during his three years at Houston and averaged more than 40 yards punting in 1956.
The 24-year-old native of Dallas spent all of the 1958 season and part of 1959 with the Baltimore Colts. His pro experience can only add to his value on the Dallas roster."

-1960 Fleer No. 123

1961
Capable of being used as a halfback or fullback, Curley will be deployed by Coach Baugh primarily as a punter. In 14 games with the Dallas Texans last year, he caught 10 passes for an average of 17.4 yards per reception.

"One of the New York Jets' most versatile performers, Curley finished fourth in the American Football League in punting last season. Primarily he is used as a fullback or a halfback.
Curley broke into the AFL back in 1960 with the Dallas Texans. Purchased by the New York club in 1962, Coach Ewbank feels that Curley is one of the game's most improved players."

-1964 Topps No. 114

"Curley punted a ball 64 yards last year. He averaged 42.6 yards a punt, fourth-best total in the AFL."

-1964 Topps No. 131

"Curley began his career in the American Football League with the old Dallas Texans. He was traded to the Jets midway through the 1961 season.
He's a versatile performer who can play fullback, halfback and tight end. He holds the Jets mark with a 70-yard punt. A natural-born athlete, Curley won a home run hitting contest at Shea Stadium last year!"

-1965 Topps No. 119

1966
The impressive second half of the Jets' 1965 season was greatly helped by opposing offenses starting further back in their own territory due to Curley's booming punts. His 72 punts (fifth in the AFL) for 3,269 yards (third in the AFL) were good for a Jet record 45.3 yard punting average, second in the league, as was Curley's long punt of 73 yards. He was selected to both the AFL players' All-Star team as well as that of the Sporting News.
At the end of the 1965 season, Curley held the AFL record with 324 career punts.

1967
Curley once again greatly helped the Jet defense with his long punts last year. His 62 punts (6th in the AFL) for 2,633 yards (6th) were good for a 42.5-yard average (3rd). None of his punts were blocked.
Curley joined New York in 1962 while they were still the Titans and coach Ewbank has greatly appreciated his work as a Jet. By the end of the 1965 season, Curley held the AFL record for career punts.


1968
Curley punted 62 times in 1967, sixth in the AFL, for 2,734 yards, sixth in the circuit, for an average of 42.1 yards, also sixth. His longest punt of 60 yards was the sixth-longest booted in the league.