Vince Pacewic
refer to caption
Pacewic, circa 1942
No. 12
Position:Halfback
Personal information
Born:(1920-05-28)May 28, 1920
Collinsville, Illinois, U.S.
Died:April 1, 1990(1990-04-01) (aged 69)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
College:
NFL draft:1943 / Round: 27 / Pick: 260
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Receptions:5
Receiving yards:42
Games played:2
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Vincent Charles Pacewic (May 28, 1920 – April 1, 1990) was an American football halfback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins. He played college football at Loyola University of Los Angeles and University of San Francisco. He was drafted in the 27th round of the 1943 NFL Draft.[1][2]

College football and military service

Pacewic played on the Lions' freshman team during his first year at Loyola of Los Angeles in 1940, and made the full roster in the 1941 and 1942 seasons. He was then drafted in the 1943 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins, but did not sign with the team as he served in the United States Army during World War II. Following the end of the war, he returned to college football in 1946. Now enrolled at the University of San Francisco, Pacewic played one season with the San Francisco Dons before going pro in 1947.[2]

Professional football

Los Angeles Rams

See also: 1947 Los Angeles Rams season

In 1947, Pacewic signed with the team that drafted him four years prior, the Washington Redskins. However, the Redskins soon traded him to the Los Angeles Rams, with the stipulation that if the Rams opted to keep him, the team had to give up one of their own players to Washington.[3] Ultimately, the Rams chose not to keep Pacewic on the roster, and traded him back to the Redskins on September 6, 1947.[4]

Washington Redskins

See also: 1947 Washington Redskins season

Appearing in only two games, Pacewic made 5 receptions for 42 yards, and never rushed once, despite his position being listed as running back.[1]

In the team's October 26 game against the Chicago Bears, Pacewic had one of his vertebrae knocked out of place, causing temporary partial paralysis. He seemed to recover from the paralysis quickly and was able to leave Griffith Stadium on his own, and it was initially thought that he would be able to return for the following week.[5] However, the injury proved to be season-ending, as he was ruled out for several more games following the injury.[6][7]

The Redskins put him on the trading block in mid-November of 1947, and he never played another down of professional football.[8]

Later life and death

Pacewic died in Los Angeles on April 1, 1990, at the age of 69 years old.

References

  1. ^ a b "Vince Pacewic Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  2. ^ a b "Vince Pacewic NFL Stats - Pro Football Archives". www.profootballarchives.com. Retrieved 2022-10-12.
  3. ^ Atchison, Lewis F. (1947-08-29). "Redskins Deeply Impressed by Rams' Might". Washington Evening Star. p. 14.
  4. ^ "Levy Traded to Detroit; Strode Placed on Waivers". Long Beach Independent. 1947-09-07. p. 38.
  5. ^ Atchison, Lewis F. (1947-10-27). "Tribe Flaws Revealed In Loss Bring Order For Extra Drill". Washington Evening Star. p. 14.
  6. ^ "Skins, Battling Eagles, Hoping For Breaks to Tie for Lead". Washington Evening Star. 1947-11-02. p. 44.
  7. ^ "Skins Hoping to Avert Fourth Loss in Row Against Steelers". Washington Evening Star. 1947-11-09. p. 41.
  8. ^ Atchison, Lewis F. (1947-11-18). "Trippi's Return to Card Lineup To Add New Woes to Redskins". Washington Evening Star. p. 16.
Categories