Jump to content

Bobby Jancik

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Jancik)

Bobby Jancik
No. 23
PositionsCornerback,
Return specialist
Personal information
Born(1940-02-09)February 9, 1940
Houston, Texas
DiedDecember 24, 2005(2005-12-24) (aged 65)
Bryan, Texas
Height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight178 lb (81 kg)
Career information
CollegeLamar
AFL draft1962: 19th round, 151st overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career statistics
Interceptions15
Fumble recoveries2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Robert Lee Jancik Jr. (February 9, 1940 – December 24, 2005), also known as Bobby Jancik, was an American college and professional football player, who played for the American Football League's Houston Oilers from 1962 through 1967. He led the AFL in kickoff return average in his first two seasons.

Early life

[edit]

Jancik was born on February 9, 1940, in Houston.[1] He attended Lamar Consolidated High School, serving Richmond and Rosenberg, Texas. He was a running back on the school's football team. In 1956, as a 141 lb. (64 kg) junior, he was unanimously selected at running back to the first-team Texas 12-AAA All-District Team.[2] As a senior in 1957, the now 155 lb. (70.3 kg) Jancik was selected again as first-team All-District 12-AAA at running back.[3]

College career

[edit]

After high school, the recently married Jancik accepted a football scholarship to Wharton Junior College, where he was a running back on the football team. He later transferred to Lamar Tech College, where he played halfback, defensive back, receiver, punt returner and kickoff returner on the Lamar Cardinals football team. In 1961, he was selected as an Associated Press (AP) Little All-American in football. He was selected first-team All-Lone Star Conference at halfback by the conference's coaches. He suffered a dislocated knee injury in mid-December 1961 that ultimately required surgery, preventing him from playing a role in Lamar Tech's December 30, 1961 victory over Middle Tennessee in the 1961 Tangerine Bowl.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

Jancik also was a member of the Cardinals' track team. In track, he competed in the high jump, broad jump and javelin throw.[11] In May 1962, he won the Lone Star Conference javelin competition.[12]

Jancik graduated in 1962 with a degree in commercial art.[13]

Professional career

[edit]

The Houston Oilers selected Jancik in the 19th round of the 1962 AFL draft, 151st overall.[14] The 178 lb. (80.7 kg) Jancik entered the Oilers 1962 training camp as a defensive back.[4] Jancik played for the Oilers from 1962 to 1967. He played in 81 games, starting 39; and had 15 interceptions over his career, playing all four positions in the Oilers' defensive backfield.[1][13]

Jancik was a punt and kickoff returner over his entire Oilers career. As a rookie in 1962, he returned 24 kickoffs for 726 yards. His 30.3 yards per return average was first in the AFL.[15][16] He also returned 14 punts for 116 yards (8.3 yards per return) as a rookie.[15] The Oakland Raiders' Bob Garner led the AFL in punt return average at 8.1 yards per return.[16] He started two games at defensive back that season, with two interceptions.[15] He was an honorable mention for United Press International's (UPI) All-AFL Team in 1962, at defensive back.[17]

In 1963, he played a more prominent role as a defensive back, starting a career-high 11 games at cornerback, with three interceptions; while continuing in his role as a return specialist.[18][1] He led the AFL in kickoff returns (45), kickoff return yardage (1,317 yards) and yards per kickoff return (29.3). He also returned 13 punts for 145 yards, averaging 11.2 yards per punt return. He had a particularly dynamic 56-yard punt return against the Boston Patriots, evading the coverage team with great agility, described at the time as "a cross between an Irish jig and the twist".[19][20] He was an honorable mention for UPI's All-AFL Team in 1963, at safety.[21]

In 1964, Jancik had his only career return for a touchdown. On December 20, 1964, he had an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos.[22] This was the longest punt return for the 1964 AFL season.[23] Overall, Jancik returned 12 punts for 220 yards, averaging 18.3 yards per return; during a season in which the league average was 9.6 yards per punt return. He also started eight games at cornerback, with three interceptions.[24][25]

In 1965, Jancik had a career high with four interceptions, though he only started four games at safety for injured free safety Fred Glick. His 18 kickoff returns were the fewest of Jancik's career to date, and 7.1 yards per punt return was his lowest career average to date.[1][26][27] In 1966, Jancik again led the AFL in kickoff returns (35) and kickoff return yardage (875).[28] He went into the 1966 Oilers training camp considered a reserve, but was named as starter at right cornerback going into the season. He started eight games in the defensive backfield that season, with two interceptions. He also played free safety that season, for the injured Glick, as well as strong (tight) safety.[29][30][31][32][33][34] Jancik himself suffered a shoulder injury during the 1966 season that required surgery.[13]

Jancik started the 1967 season as the Oilers starting strong safety, but lost his starting job to rookie, and future Pro Football Hall of Fame safety, Ken Houston.[35][36][37] Houston continued as the Oilers starting safety for the ensuing 12 years, being selected to the Pro Bowl in every one of those years.[38] Late in his career, Houston said "'I knew from the day I replaced Bobby Jancik at Houston, that one day someone would replace me. That's just the way it is'".[39] Jancik was placed on injured waivers in November 1967, due to a pulled hamstring muscle.[40]

In January 1968, Jancik announced his retirement from football, and his intention to join the Houston police academy.[35]

Personal life

[edit]

While recovering from his 1966 shoulder surgery, Jancik worked as a dispatcher for the Fort Bend County Sheriff's Department, which began his interest in police work. After retirement, Jancik served as a uniformed police officer in Houston for 12 years, before becoming a detective.[13]

Death

[edit]

On Christmas Eve 2005, Jancik died at St. Joseph's Hospital in Bryan, Texas, after suffering a massive heart attack at age 65, in his Brenham, Texas home [41][42]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Bobby Jancik Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  2. ^ Odem, Boo (December 10, 1956). "Six Named Unanimously". The Houston Chronical. pp. Sec. B, 3.
  3. ^ "Five Tigers Given First Team Rating In 12-AAA All-District Selections". The La Marque Times (La Marque, Texas). December 4, 1957. p. 6.
  4. ^ a b Gallagher, Jack (July 24, 1962). "Rice's Frankie Groomed Jancik at Wharton". The Houston Post. p. 31.
  5. ^ Claassen, Harold (December 6, 1961). "Bobby Jancik Is Chosen On Little All-America". The Orange Leader (Orange, Texas). p. 10.
  6. ^ "King Earns First Team Birth On All-Lone Star League List". The Orange Leader (Orange, Texas). November 21, 1961. p. 7.
  7. ^ "Jancik Doubtful Starter". The Orlando Sentinel. December 28, 1961. pp. 1-D.
  8. ^ Bassine, Bob (December 28, 1961). "Cardinals' Higgins Puzzled By Foe". The Orlando Sentinel. pp. 1-D.
  9. ^ Short, George (December 30, 1961). "Lamar Tech Beats MTSC 21–14 In Tangerine Bowl". Chattanooga Daily Times. p. 8.
  10. ^ "Lamar Begins Reconditioning Drills". The Orlando Sentinel. December 21, 1961. pp. 1-D.
  11. ^ Hill, Kirk (May 15, 1960). "Lions Repeat With Ease in Lone Star". The Houston Post. pp. Sec. 3, 9.
  12. ^ Hill, Kirk (May 13, 1962). "Yellow Jackets Repeat LSC Champ". The Houston Post. pp. Sec. 4, 4.
  13. ^ a b c d Paternoster, Laurie (April 27, 1981). "What ever happened to . . . former Oiler defensive back Bobby Jancik?". The Houston Post. pp. 1C.
  14. ^ "1962 AFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  15. ^ a b c "1962 Houston Oilers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  16. ^ a b "1962 AFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  17. ^ "Houston, Dallas Lead AFL Stars". The Times (Shreveport, Louisiana). United Press International. December 18, 1962. pp. 18-A.
  18. ^ Gallagher, Jack (November 20, 1963). "Runbacks by Jancik Get Belated Notice". The Houston Post. pp. Sec. 3, 2.
  19. ^ "1963 AFL Kick & Punt Returns". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  20. ^ Ziman, Milt (November 7, 1963). "Quickness, Effort Make Jancik Top Oiler Safety". The Houston Chronicle. pp. Sec. 7, 1.
  21. ^ "San Diego Trio Tops All-AFL Team". The Lima News (Lima, Ohio). United Press International. December 23, 1963. p. 14.
  22. ^ "Blanda Guides Houston Home". The Kansas City Times. Associated Press. December 21, 1964. pp. 10C.
  23. ^ "1964 AFL Leaders and Leaderboards". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  24. ^ "1964 Houston Oilers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  25. ^ "1964 AFL Kick & Punt Returns". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  26. ^ Gallagher, Jack (November 6, 1965). "Oakland's Start Club's Best Ever". The Houston Post. pp. Sec. 4, 1, 3.
  27. ^ "1965 Houston Oilers Roster & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  28. ^ "1966 AFL Kick & Punt Returns". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  29. ^ Twombly, Wells (July 23, 1966). "Retooled Oilers Assuming Shape of Real Pro Football Team". The Houston Chronicle. p. 9.
  30. ^ Hollis, John (August 27, 1966). "Oilers Try Chiefs In KC Exhibition". The Houston Post. pp. Sec. 4, 1, 4.
  31. ^ "1966 Houston Oilers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  32. ^ Twombly, Wells (November 14, 1966). "Patriots Down Houston, 27–21". The Houston Chronicle. pp. Sec. 3, 1, 4.
  33. ^ Hollis, John (November 19, 1966). "Oiler Rookies Meet Challenge Sunday". The Houston Post. pp. Sec. 4, 3.
  34. ^ "Houston Makes Defense Changes". The Lima News (Lima, Ohio). United Press International. November 16, 1966. p. 33.
  35. ^ a b "Bobby Jancik Quits Oilers". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. United Press International. January 3, 1968. pp. 4-C.
  36. ^ "1967 Houston Oilers Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  37. ^ "Ken Houston | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  38. ^ "Ken Houston Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 21, 2025.
  39. ^ "Houston May Play Again After Sunday Night Football". The Daily Progress (Charlottesville, Virginia). United Press International. December 19, 1980. pp. B6.
  40. ^ "Janick [sic] out". Argus-Leader (Sious Falls, South Dakota). Associated Press. November 2, 1967. p. 21.
  41. ^ "Ex-Oiler dies of heart attack". The Houston Chronicle. December 25, 2005. pp. C2.
  42. ^ "In Memoriam, Jancik" (PDF). The Retired Badge, The Houston Police Retired Officers Association. VI (2): 16. April 2006.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bobby_Jancik&oldid=1313248096"