Bobby Kuntz

Robert John "Bobby" Kuntz Sr. (January 10, 1932[1] – February 7, 2011) was a professional Canadian football linebacker who played eleven seasons in the Canadian Football League for the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was a part of the Tiger-Cats 1963 and 1965 Grey Cup winning teams.

Bobby Kuntz
Born:(1932-01-10)January 10, 1932
Detroit, Michigan
Died:February 7, 2011(2011-02-07) (aged 79)
Waterloo, Ontario
Career information
CFL statusNational
Position(s)LB/FB/DB
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Weight190 lb (86 kg)
UniversityMcMaster
Career history
As player
1953–1955Kitchener-Waterloo Dutchmen
1956–1961Toronto Argonauts
1962–1966Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Career highlights and awards
CFL All-Star1964
CFL East All-Star1957, 1962, 1964
Awards1957, 1961 - Outstanding Canadian player in the East Division

College

Kuntz's football career began [2] when he moved from Cleveland to Kitchener, Ontario. He was discouraged by football coaches in Cleveland, but at St. Jerome's High School he found Clem Faust, a coach willing to support his desire to play. After playing for McMaster University in Hamilton, and a senior football team in Ontario, he was signed by the Argonauts in 1955 to play his first full season in the CFL. Ten years later, his older brother David died and he was forced with a difficult decision: to return home to join the family electroplating business, or to continue playing football. His decision to return home was short-lived, after only a few months he was coaxed out of retirement by Jim Trimble, coach of the Argo's main rival, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Canadian Football league

Bobby Kuntz joined the Toronto Argonauts in 1956 and stayed with them for 6 years before being traded to the Hamilton Tiger-cats in 1962.[3] He was a 2-way player at linebacker and fullback. In his rookie year, he carried the ball 108 times for 578 yards for a 5.4 yard/rush average. His best rushing year was 1962, when he carried 151 times for 813 yards, a 5.4 average, and 6 touchdowns. in his career, he caught 107 balls for 1318 yards, a 12.3 average. As a linebacker, he intercepted 10 balls, 4 in 1957. He also served as an occasional kick returner. he was voted as an eastern conference all-star at three different positions: defensive back in 1957, fullback in 1962, and linebacker in 1964.

Post CFL

On returning home after retirement, and rejoining the family business, he became heavily involved in the community.[4] Bobby was a founding member of St. Francis Assisi Parish, and involved with St. Mary's General Hospital Foundation, Mosaic Counselling and Family Services, the United Way, the Congregation of the Resurrection and St. Jerome's University.

Kuntz was the co-owner of the family's surface finishing company Kuntz Electroplating. He was involved with the business from his retirement in 1966 from football until shortly before his death along with his brother Paul who predeceased him in early 2011.[5] Bobby was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 2000, and lived in nursing homes in the last years of his life.[6]

On February 7, 2011, Kuntz died due to complications from Parkinson's disease at the age of 79 in Waterloo, Ontario, surrounded by his wife and children.[7]

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References
  2. Kuntz Electroplating Website with history of Robert Kuntz: "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2009-01-05. Retrieved 2008-10-11.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=kuntzbob001&recsort=2
  4. The Record article, Bobby Kuntz was a champion everywhere. 09 February 2011 http://www.therecord.com/opinion/editorial/article/483269--bobby-kuntz-was-a-champion-everywhere
  5. Bobby (Robert Kuntz) as honoured by the Waterloo Region Museum's Hall of Fame. http://waterlooregionmuseum.com/region-hall-of-fame/inductees---j-to-l.aspx
  6. The Globe and Mail article: Former CFL star Bobby Kuntz dead at 79 by James Christie. Feb 07, 2011. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/former-cfl-star-bobby-kuntz-dead-at-79/article1897824/
  7. "CFL mourns the loss of Bobby Kuntz". Canadian Press. 7 February 2011. Archived from the original on 8 February 2011. Retrieved 7 February 2011.
  • Kuntz.com Kuntz Electroplating - History of Bobby Kuntz and the CFL
  • Waterloo Region Museum Hall of Fame Inductees List
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