Andy Puplis

NFL player


Name=Andy Puplis
DateOfBirth=February 1 1915
DateOfDeath=January 25 1990
Birthplace=Chicago, Illinois
Position=Quarterback, Defensive Back
College=Notre Dame
number=1
Height_ft=5
Height_in=9
Weight_lbs=180
Stats=Y
DatabaseFootball=PUPLIAND01
NFL=PUP415291
years=1943
teams=Chicago Cardinals
Honors=
ProBowls=
HOF= Andrew Joseph Puplis (February 1, 1915 in Chicago, Illinois – January 25,1990) was an American football player and coach.

Puplis won a Chicago city championship as a quarterback at Harrison Tech High School, compiling a 12-0 record in 1931. [cite web|title=Illinois H.S.toric|publisher=IHSA.org|url=http://www.ihsa.org/initiatives/hstoric/football_new.htm|accessdate=2008-03-03] At Notre Dame, he joined the football team as both a kicker and a kick and punt returner. In 1936, he became the starting quarterback but still led the team in kickoff returns with 5 for 136 yards. In his senior year in 1937, he earned All-American honors as he led the Irish in scoring and averaged 12.4 yards per play. [Marder, Spellen & Donovan. "The Notre Dame Football Encyclopedia." New York: Kensington Publishing Corp. (2001), p.168-169.] He also played on the baseball team.

After college, Puplis was hired as the head football coach at Crystal Lake High School before moving on to Proviso East High School in Maywood, Illinois in 1940, where he would remain until his retirement in 1972, except for a hiatus to spend one year in the Navy during World War II [cite web|title=FOOTBALL AND AMERICA: WW II Honor Roll|publisher=NFL.com|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/general/war/worldwar2/honor_roll.jsp|accessdate=2008-04-15] , and one year as a defensive back for the Chicago Cardinals in 1943 [cite web|title=Andy Puplis: Career Stats|publisher=NFL.com|url=http://www.nfl.com/players/careerstats?id=PUP415291|accessdate=2008-03-03] . During his tenure at Proviso East he would coach eventual NFL stars such as Ray Nitschke and Ed O'Bradovich as well as Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson [cite web|title=Proviso East|publisher=Chicago Sun Times|url=http://www.suntimes.com/sports/preps/highschool/638460,CST-SPT-spot07.article|accessdate=2008-03-03] , and would compile a record of 128-84-12, including three undefeated seasons [cite web|title=IHSA Season Summaries|publisher=IHSA.org|url=http://www.ihsa.org/school/records/sum1321.htm|accessdate=2008-03-03] .

In 1981, Puplis was inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Illinois High School Football Coaches Association [cite web|title=IHSFCA Hall of Fame Selections|publisher=IHSFCA.com|url=http://www.ihsfca.com/ihsfbca_hall_of_fame_selections.htm|accessdate=2008-03-03] .

References