Zeke Bratkowski

Zeke Bratkowski

Bratkowski in June 2008
Position(s) Quarterback Jersey #(s) 12
Born	October 20, 1931 (1931-10-20) (age 78) Danville, Illinois
Career information
Year(s)	1954–1971
NFL Draft	1953 / Round: 2 / Pick: 17
College	Georgia
Professional teams
Chicago Bears (1954-1960) Los Angeles Rams (1961-1963) Green Bay Packers (1963-1971) Chicago Bears (1973) * *Inactive and/or practice squad member only
Career stats
TD-INT	65-122
Yards	10,345
QB Rating	54.3
Stats at NFL.com
Career highlights and awards
University of Georgia Circle of Honor Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame

Edmund Raymond "Zeke" Bratkowski (born October 20, 1931 in Danville, Illinois) is a former All-American quarterback at the University of Georgia from 1952 to 1953. He also had a fourteen year career in the NFL with the Chicago Bears, L.A. Rams and Green Bay Packers, followed by a 26-year coaching career. He is the father of current Cincinnati Bengals’ offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski.

Playing career

Bratkowski began his playing career at Schlarman High School. He was twice the SEC passing leader under Georgia coach Wally Butts. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears and played five seasons in Chicago. He played for the Los Angeles Rams before being signed by Vince Lombardi to become the "super sub" to Bart Starr. In Green Bay, he was nicknamed "Uncle Zekie."

Coaching career

After his playing career, Bratkowski became quarterback coach/offensive coordinator for Chicago, Baltimore, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and with the New York Jets. He was also a quarterbacks coach with Cleveland and the Jets and worked two stints as a Packers assistant as well as the Baltimore Ravens.

While Bratkowski was coaching the Chicago Bears quarterbacks, head coach Abe Gibron abruptly promoted him to offensive coordinator. Gibron shortly after pressed him into service for one game as a backup quarterback.

Halls of fame

He was inducted into the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame in 1980, and the Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame in 1989.