Tom Janik
Encyclopedia
Thomas Alvin Janik was a former American college and Professional Football
player who was born in Poth, Texas
. He attended the Texas College of Arts and Industries (now Texas A&M), where he was an all-conference running back and punter. He was inducted to the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982. Janik was a safety for nine seasons of Professional Football. He played for the American Football League
's Denver Broncos
, Buffalo Bills
, and Boston Patriots, and for the NFL's Patriots. He was an AFL All-Star
in 1965, when he played for the AFL Champion Bills, and again in 1967.
One of Janik's biggest games was the September 18, 1968 contest at home against the New York Jets
, in which the Bills' defensive backfield picked off Joe Namath
seven times, three times for TDs as Butch Byrd
and Booker Edgerson
had 53 and 45-yard TD interceptions within 1:02, and Janik had one of two picks go for a 100-yard score. The Bills won a barn-burner, 37-35, which was Buffalo's only win of the season. The Jets went on to finish 11-3, and won the AFL title before going on to defeat the overrated Colts in the Third AFL-NFL World Championship Game
.
Professional football
In the United States and Canada, the term professional football includes the professional forms of American and Canadian gridiron football. In common usage, it refers to former and existing major football leagues in either country...
player who was born in Poth, Texas
Poth, Texas
Poth is a town in Wilson County, Texas, United States, located Southeast of the city of San Antonio. The population was 1,850 at the 2000 census...
. He attended the Texas College of Arts and Industries (now Texas A&M), where he was an all-conference running back and punter. He was inducted to the school's Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982. Janik was a safety for nine seasons of Professional Football. He played for the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
's Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are a professional American football team based in Denver, Colorado. They are currently members of the West Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and Boston Patriots, and for the NFL's Patriots. He was an AFL All-Star
American Football League All-Star games
-All-League Teams:The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...
in 1965, when he played for the AFL Champion Bills, and again in 1967.
One of Janik's biggest games was the September 18, 1968 contest at home against the New York Jets
New York Jets
The New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, in which the Bills' defensive backfield picked off Joe Namath
Joe Namath
Joseph William "Joe" Namath , nicknamed "Broadway Joe" or "Joe Willie", is a former American football quarterback. He played college football for the University of Alabama under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant and his assistant, Howard Schnellenberger, from 1962–1964, and professional football in the...
seven times, three times for TDs as Butch Byrd
Butch Byrd
George Edward "Butch" Byrd was a professional American football defensive back. He started his career playing college football at Boston University. He joined the Buffalo Bills in 1964 and immediately made an impact in the defensive backfield, with seven interceptions. Byrd was also a solid...
and Booker Edgerson
Booker Edgerson
Booker Tyrone Edgerson is a former American college and Professional Football player. This graduate of Western Illinois University was a cornerstone of the American Football League Buffalo Bills' defense in the mid-1960s, at left cornerback.A four-year letterman ; in 1959 and 1960, he led the...
had 53 and 45-yard TD interceptions within 1:02, and Janik had one of two picks go for a 100-yard score. The Bills won a barn-burner, 37-35, which was Buffalo's only win of the season. The Jets went on to finish 11-3, and won the AFL title before going on to defeat the overrated Colts in the Third AFL-NFL World Championship Game
Professional American football championship games
Below is a list of professional football championship games in the United States, involving:* the informal Pittsburgh circuit of professional football teams ;...
.