Alex Kapter

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Alex Kapter
A headshot of Alex Kapter from a 1946 Cleveland Browns game program
Kapter in 1946
No. 39
Position:Guard
Personal information
Born:(1922-03-26)March 26, 1922
Waukegan, Illinois, U.S.
Died:July 25, 2005(2005-07-25) (aged 83)
Thousand Oaks, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
College:Northwestern University
NFL draft:1944 / Round: 21 / Pick: 211
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games:6
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Alexander Joe Kapter (March 26, 1922July 26, 2005) was a professional American football guard who played one season for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). Kapter attended Northwestern University and joined the Browns after a stint in the U.S. Navy during World War II. Cleveland won the AAFC championship in 1946, his only season as a professional football player.

College career[edit]

Kapter attended Northwestern University, where he played on the Northwestern Wildcats football team. He started play as a sophomore year in 1941, but only became the team's regular left guard in 1942.[1] Kapter entered the U.S. Navy in 1943, but was allowed to stay at Northwestern along with the football team's quarterback, Otto Graham, to finish the season.[2] Kapter played in the College All-Star Game in 1943 and was named to the team again in 1944.[3] The Navy barred him from participating in the 1944 game, however, because of a rule that disallowed any activity that would require an absence of 48 hours or more.[4]

Professional career[edit]

Kapter was drafted in 1944 by the Detroit Lions, but military service delayed his entry into the professional ranks. He signed in 1946 to play for the Cleveland Browns, a team under formation in the new All-America Football Conference.[5] Otto Graham, Kapter's teammate at Northwestern, also signed with the Browns.[6] During the 1946 season, Kapter alternated on occasion with Bill Willis at right guard when Willis came down with strep throat.[7] The Browns won the AAFC championship that year.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Over-Eagerness Wins Steady Job". The Leader-Post. October 14, 1942. p. 17. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  2. ^ "Navy Produces Grid Upheaval". Warsaw Daily Union. October 21, 1943. p. 5. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  3. ^ "Complete List of Star Team". The Milwaukee Journal. Associated Press. August 10, 1944. p. 2. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  4. ^ "Seven All-Stars Banned by Order". St. Petersburg Times. Associated Press. August 16, 1944. p. 6. Retrieved August 4, 2012.
  5. ^ "Ex-Marquette Guard Signed by Browns". Cleveland Plain Dealer. March 3, 1946. p. 2C.
  6. ^ Piascik 2007, p. 19.
  7. ^ Sauerbrei, Harold (November 4, 1946). "Field Goal in Last 18 Seconds Hands Browns 2d Loss in Row, 17-16". Cleveland Plain Dealer. p. 18.
  8. ^ Piascik 2007, p. 64.

Bibliography[edit]

  • Piascik, Andy (2007). The Best Show in Football: The 1946–1955 Cleveland Browns. Lanham, MD: Taylor Trade Publishing. ISBN 978-1-58979-571-6.

External links[edit]