Tom Braatz

Tom Braatz

No. 84, 83, 85, 51
Position:	Linebacker Defensive End
Personal information
Date of birth:	(1933-05-12) May 12, 1933
Place of birth:	Kenosha, Wisconsin
Height:
Weight:
Career information
High school:	Kenosha (WI) Bradford
College:	Marquette
NFL draft:	1955 / Round: 14 / Pick: 159
Career history
Washington Redskins (1957) Los Angeles Rams (1958) Washington Redskins (1958-1959) Dallas Cowboys (1960-1961)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 38 Interceptions: 2 Fumble recoveries: 1 Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Thomas Myron Braatz (born May 12, 1933) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Rams, and the Dallas Cowboys, and a former general manager of the Atlanta Falcons and Green Bay Packers. He played college football at Marquette University.

Early years

Braatz attended Mary D. Bradford High School, where he was a teammate of future Pro Bowl player Alan Ameche. He accepted a scholarship from Marquette University, where he played as a two-way End. He was named the team's co-captain as a senior.

Professional career

Washington Redskins (first stint)

Braatz was selected in the fourteenth round (159th overall) of the 1955 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. He was used both at defensive end and linebacker, until being waived on October 13, 1958.

Los Angeles Rams

On October 16, 1958, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams to play as a defensive end. After playing in one game, he was released to make room for halfback Clendon Thomas on October 20, 1958.

Washington Redskins (second stint)

In 1958, he returned to the Washington Redskins and was asked to concentrate on playing linebacker.

Dallas Cowboys

Braatz was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft and was used as a reserve linebacker. He was placed on the injured reserve list on August 29, 1961. He would later announce his retirement.

Personal life

After retiring as a player he joined the expansion Atlanta Falcons as a part-time area scout in 1965, and eventually was promoted to the role of General Manager from 1982 to 1985.

In 1987, he was hired by the Green Bay packers as the franchise's first Director of Football Operations. Braatz held that position for five years until being fired on November 21, 1991, with the team having a 2-9 record. In 1992, he was hired as the Miami Dolphins Director of College Scouting and retired in 2003.