Former Browns eighth-round pick passes away

He was named the MVP in his senior year and selected to play in the East-West Shrine Game, the Hula Bowl, and the College All-Star Game against the reigning NFL champion Baltimore Colts, per his obituary.

He earned MVP honors in all three. Ptacek played college football from 1956 to 1958, and the Cleveland Browns picked him 87th overall in the eighth round in 1959. At age 22, he played in 12 games as their QB. He made three attempts for 13 rushing yards. 

Ptacek’s career with the Browns was short-lived. He made the move from the NFL to the Canadian Football League in the following year. 

In 1960, he joined the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL and played for them for the next six years. He earned CFL All-Star honors, and the team inducted him into its Plaza of Honour. 

He called it quits on football for good following a career-ending injury in 1966. 

Robert Ptacek’s life beyond football

After he hung up his cleats, Bob Ptacek started a career in transportation sales, kickstarting his thriving business with Yellow Freight. 

“The connections he made with clients and coworkers grew far beyond business- turning into lifelong friendships,” his obituary read. “For all of his accomplishments, however, football and work were never what defined him. Family did.”

Ptacek was a devout family fan who fell in love with his wife, Donna, in high school. They were together for 73 years and married for 68 years. He is survived by Donna, their four children, seven grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren. 

His family remembers him as humorous, equipped with mischievous and well-timed one-liners. They are holding a private family service on July 17th from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m.

Our prayers are with Ptacek’s family.