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Ed Podolak
Ed Podolak
Ed Podolak
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Edward Joseph Podolak (born September 1, 1947) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for nine seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs of the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Iowa Hawkeyes.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Ed Podolak was born on a small farm near Atlantic, Iowa on September 1, 1947. His father, Joe was a farmer and a military veteran and his mother Dorothy was a school teacher. Ed worked on the farm, played baseball in the summer, football in the fall, and basketball in the winter. His parents allowed him to curtail his farm work during his athletic events.

The Atlantic High School Trojan football teams went undefeated in Podolak's junior and senior seasons, as Ed quarterbacked the team, winning conference titles both years. The Atlantic Trojan basketball team made it to two state tournament appearances, with Podolak playing forward. Following high school, Iowa State University hired Podolak's high school coach, Howard Justice, to coach quarterbacks, but Podolak chose to attend the University of Iowa.[1]

College football career

[edit]

In this era, college freshmen were not eligible to play varsity sports, but Podolak won the starting quarterback job for Iowa as a sophomore. In his first college start, Podolak was named “Offensive Player of the Week” after the game against the Arizona Wildcats, a 42–7 Iowa victory.[2] After starting at quarterback for two and a half years for the Hawkeyes, he moved to tailback, five games into his senior season, because of an injury to the starting tailback. He set a Hawkeye and Big 10 rushing record of 286 yards in his second start at running back.[1]

In Podolak's college football career at the University of Iowa, he was a quarterback for two seasons before converting to running back. As a quarterback, Podolak threw 28 interceptions and eight touchdowns, but he excelled as a running back in 1968, rushing for 937 yards and eight touchdowns while gaining an average of six yards per carry, also catching 12 passes for 188 yards and another score.[3][4]

In 1968, Podolak rushed for a then–Big Ten record with 286 yards on 17 carries in the Hawkeyes' 68–34 victory over Northwestern. Podolak earned All–Big 10 honors following the 1968 season.[5]

Professional football career

[edit]

Podolak was selected in the second round of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft, 48th overall, by the Kansas City Chiefs, and the team won Super Bowl IV in his rookie season.[6][7]

During a nine-year career from 1969 to 1977, Podolak became the Chiefs' all-time leading rusher with 4,451 yards and 34 touchdowns on 1,158 carries. He was also known for his work as a pass receiver, catching 288 passes for 2,456 yards and six touchdowns and as a return man on special teams, averaging 8.6 yards per punt and 20.5 yards per kickoff return. His 8,178 career combined yards are the second-most in the team's history. Podolak led the Chiefs in rushing four times, in receiving three times, and in punt returns three times.[8]

In the Chiefs' playoff loss to the Miami Dolphins on Christmas Day in 1971 (still the longest game in NFL history), Podolak had a playoff-record 350 total yards: 85 rushing, 110 receiving, and 155 on returns.[9][10] Podolak, who wore jersey number 14, was inducted into the Chiefs' Hall of Fame in 1989.[11]

NFL career statistics

[edit]
Legend
Led the league
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving Fumbles
GP GS Att Yds Avg Y/G Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD Fum FR
1969 KC 4 0 did not record any rushing stats 3 0
1970 KC 14 9 168 749 4.5 53.5 65 3 26 307 11.8 59 1 6 1
1971 KC 13 11 184 708 3.8 54.5 25 9 36 252 7.0 23 0 5 0
1972 KC 13 10 171 615 3.6 47.3 30 4 46 345 7.5 27 2 10 1
1973 KC 14 13 210 721 3.4 51.5 25 3 55 445 8.1 25 0 7 1
1974 KC 9 8 101 386 3.8 42.9 14 2 43 306 7.1 26 1 4 0
1975 KC 14 4 102 351 3.4 25.1 25 3 37 332 9.0 21 2 3 0
1976 KC 10 4 88 371 4.2 37.1 22 5 13 156 12.0 23 0 2 0
1977 KC 13 6 133 550 4.1 42.3 41 5 32 313 9.8 23 0 2 1
Career 104 65 1,157 4,451 3.8 42.8 65 34 288 2,456 8.5 59 6 42 4

Broadcasting career

[edit]

After retirement, Podolak turned to broadcasting. He worked as a color commentator for NFL telecasts on NBC in 1978. In 1982, he began working as a commentator for Iowa Hawkeye football games on WHO radio in Des Moines and a statewide network. He worked with play-by-play announcer Jim Zabel until 1996 and then with Gary Dolphin.[12][13] Podolak announced on April 22, 2024, that he is retiring from his role as color analyst after 42 years.[14]

Awards and honors

[edit]
  • Podolak was inducted into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1989.[11]
  • The Iowa High School Athletic Association inducted Podolak into its Football Hall of Fame in 2004.[15]
  • In 2014, Podolak was inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame.[1]
  • Podolak was inducted into the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame in 2021.[5][4]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ed Podolak

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ed Podolak (born , ) is an American best known as a for the of the (). Drafted in the second round of the NFL Draft out of the , he played nine seasons exclusively with the Chiefs from to , contributing as a rusher, receiver, punter, and return specialist. Podolak was a key member of the Chiefs' Super Bowl IV-winning team in 1970 and retired holding several franchise records, including second all-time in rushing yards with 4,451. After his playing career, he transitioned into broadcasting, serving as a color analyst for football games for 42 seasons until transitioning out of the role in 2024 (limiting appearances to pregame shows and podcasts), and working NFL telecasts for networks like NBC and ESPN. Born Edward Joseph Podolak on a farm near Atlantic, Iowa, to Joe and Dorothy Podolak, he developed an early interest in sports through 4-H activities and junior high athletics. At Atlantic High School, Podolak quarterbacked the football team to undefeated conference championships in his junior and senior years, graduating in 1965, and also led the basketball team to two state tournaments. He continued his education at the University of Iowa, where he played quarterback and halfback from 1966 to 1968, earning All-Big Ten honors, team captaincy, and MVP status in his senior year. During that season, Podolak set Big Ten and Iowa records for single-game rushing yards with 286 against Northwestern. In the , Podolak quickly became a starter following the trade of , leading the Chiefs in rushing four times and in receiving while also handling punting and return duties. His most notable came on December 25, 1971, against the , when he amassed an NFL playoff-record 350 all-purpose yards (85 rushing, 110 receiving, and 155 on returns). Over his , he accumulated 1,157 rushing attempts for 4,451 yards and 34 touchdowns, plus 288 receptions for 2,456 yards and six scores, totaling 8,178 combined yards—second in Chiefs at the time of his retirement. Inducted into the Chiefs Hall of Honor in 1989, Podolak has also been honored in the Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame (2021) and the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame (2014).

Personal background

Early life

Ed Podolak was born Podolak on , , on a small farm near . His father, Joe Podolak, was a World War II veteran who had served four years in the Philippines before returning to marry Dorothy Pont, a country school teacher, and take up farming. Podolak grew up as the oldest of three children on the family's hardscrabble 80-acre , located seven miles south of Atlantic, alongside his parents, a younger brother, and a younger sister. The modest circumstances of , where his also worked jobs, instilled a strong work ethic in the family, as daily chores left limited time for leisure. Podolak's early exposure to sports came through farming chores, activities, , and the physical demands of farm work, along with participation in community activities. He developed a passion for various during rare free moments, playing whatever was available in the rural setting.

High school career

Ed Podolak graduated from Atlantic High School in 1965, where he distinguished himself as a multisport athlete excelling in football, , , and track. His early life on a near Atlantic contributed to the physical toughness that supported his demanding athletic schedule. In football, Podolak primarily served as the for the Atlantic Trojans, also contributing on defense as a , while demonstrating versatility that included rushing plays akin to a role. Under coach , he led the to undefeated in his junior and senior seasons, securing titles both years and contributing to a streak of 23 consecutive victories. His performance earned him All-State honors as a and selection to the Des Moines Register's Elite All-State , highlighting his leadership in driving regional success. Podolak's versatility extended to basketball, where he played forward and helped guide the Trojans to back-to-back appearances in the state tournament during his junior and senior years. He was recognized with All-State honors in 1964 and 1965. In track, Podolak competed, further showcasing his athletic range across multiple disciplines.

Football career

College career

Ed Podolak enrolled at the in and began his collegiate football with the Hawkeyes in 1966, initially playing as a quarterback while also contributing at running back over his three seasons from 1966 to 1968. During his first two years, he split time between passing and rushing duties, accumulating 773 rushing yards on 253 attempts with no rushing touchdowns, alongside 2,316 passing yards on 172 completions out of 398 attempts for eight touchdowns. His versatility allowed him to gain experience in multi-position play, building on his high school background as a dual-threat athlete. In his senior year of , Podolak transitioned to the primary role due to injuries at , where he excelled in the backfield for the Hawkeyes. He rushed for 937 yards on 154 carries, averaging 6.1 yards per attempt, and scored eight rushing touchdowns, while also adding 188 receiving yards. This performance helped Iowa achieve a 5-5 overall record and 4-3 in Big Ten play, including a notable 21-20 upset victory over the eighth-ranked early in the season. Podolak's standout game came on November 9, 1968, against Northwestern, where he rushed for a then-Iowa and Big Ten record 286 yards on just 17 carries with two touchdowns, powering a 68-34 and setting a single-game program mark that ranks second in Hawkeye . For his efforts that season, he earned team MVP honors, was selected as a first-team All-Big Ten running back, and served as team captain. Over his entire college career, Podolak amassed 1,710 rushing yards and contributed significantly to 4,026 total offensive yards, ranking in the top twenty in Iowa program for rushing, total offense, and all-purpose yards.

Professional career

Ed Podolak was selected by the in the second round (48th overall) of the 1969 AFL-NFL Draft. His performance as a first-team All-Big Ten at the factored into his draft selection. In his rookie season, Podolak contributed to the Chiefs' AFL championship and subsequent appearance in , where they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 23–7 to claim the NFL title. Over his nine-season tenure with the Chiefs from 1969 to 1977, Podolak showcased versatility as a running back, pass receiver, and return specialist on both punts and kickoffs. Renowned for his toughness and hard-nosed playing style, he served as a reliable all-purpose back, accumulating 4,451 rushing yards on 1,157 carries across 104 games. One of his standout performances occurred in the 1971 AFC Divisional Playoff against the Miami Dolphins, dubbed the "longest game" in NFL history at 82 minutes and 40 seconds, during which Podolak set a playoff record with 350 all-purpose yards. Additionally, he scored the first touchdown in Arrowhead Stadium history on a 1-yard run during the venue's inaugural game on August 12, 1972, a 24–14 preseason victory over the St. Louis Cardinals. Podolak retired after the 1977 season, concluding his professional career with the Chiefs. At the time of his retirement, he held several franchise records, including most career rushing yards—a mark he led until it was later surpassed—as well as most pass receptions by a running back and the team's all-time lead in punt returns.

Career statistics

Ed Podolak's NFL career statistics reflect his versatility as a , receiver, punter, and return specialist for the from 1969 to 1977. Over 104 regular-season games, he recorded 1,157 rushing attempts for 4,451 yards and 34 touchdowns, averaging 3.8 yards per carry, with a longest run of 65 yards. He also had 288 receptions for 2,456 yards and 6 receiving touchdowns, averaging 8.5 yards per catch, establishing him as one of the most productive pass-catching backs of his era. He punted 146 times for 5,595 yards, averaging 38.3 yards per punt, with a longest of 62 yards. His return contributions included 86 punt returns for 740 yards (8.6 average, longest 60 yards) and 34 kickoff returns for 697 yards (20.5 average, longest 78 yards), contributing to his career all-purpose yardage total of 8,344. This multifaceted role underscored Podolak's value, as his combined rushing, receiving, and return production ranked him second in Chiefs history for all-purpose yards at the time of his retirement. The following table summarizes Podolak's regular-season rushing and receiving statistics:
CategoryAttempts/ReceptionsYardsTouchdownsAverageLongest
Rushing1,1574,451343.8
Receiving2882,45668.559
In the postseason, Podolak appeared in 4 games across the 1969 and 1971 seasons, accumulating 21 rushing attempts for 98 yards and 1 touchdown, plus 8 receptions for 110 yards and 1 touchdown. His return efforts in playoffs included 2 punt returns for 1 yard and 3 kickoff returns for 154 yards. Notably, in the 1971 AFC Divisional playoff game against the —the longest game in history at 82 minutes, 40 seconds—Podolak set a single-game playoff record with 350 all-purpose yards (85 rushing, 110 receiving, 155 on returns), a mark that still stands. In Super Bowl IV following the 1969 season, he contributed 4 rushing attempts for 13 yards. Podolak held several Kansas City Chiefs franchise records upon his retirement, including most rushing yards (4,451, later surpassed in the 1980s by players like Christian Okoye) and most receptions by a running back (288). He led the team in rushing four times (1970, 1972–1974) and in receiving three times (1970, 1972, 1974), while also topping punt return averages in three seasons. Compared to contemporaries like Larry Csonka, Podolak's 8,344 all-purpose yards highlighted his broader utility, though Csonka edged him in pure rushing volume with 6,817 yards over a similar span.

Post-playing career

Broadcasting career

Following his NFL playing career, Ed Podolak transitioned into , leveraging his on-field as a for the Kansas City Chiefs to provide credible analysis in early roles. He began in 1978 as a color commentator for NBC's telecasts. He later contributed to ESPN's college football broadcasts before shifting focus to Iowa Hawkeye coverage. In 1982, Podolak joined WHO radio as the color analyst for football , a role he held for 42 seasons. He partnered initially with play-by-play announcer Ron Grahame and later with Gary , forming enduring broadcast teams. Podolak's commentary style was insightful and fan-friendly, offering honest assessments drawn directly from his playing background at both the and levels, which helped explain complex plays and strategies to . Over his tenure, he covered nearly 500 Hawkeye , including multiple bowl victories that highlighted Iowa's postseason successes. In 2009, Podolak took a brief hiatus from broadcasting due to personal issues related to , undergoing treatment before returning to the booth that same year. He announced his retirement from game commentary on April 22, 2024, effective after the 2023 season, at age 76, expressing a desire to step back while continuing limited contributions to pregame shows and podcasts as of 2025.

Other contributions

After retiring from the in 1978, Ed Podolak relocated with his wife Vicki to the in in 1981, near Aspen, to focus on raising their and pursuing in and and gas. The move allowed Podolak to transition from to a more balanced centered on and entrepreneurial pursuits in the Aspen area, where he also worked as a realtor. Podolak and Vicki have two daughters, Emily and Laura, both of whom pursued successful careers in Northern California; Emily became a landscape architect in Healdsburg, while Laura established a business career in the region. The family's relocation emphasized Podolak's commitment to work-life balance following his athletic career, enabling closer involvement in his daughters' upbringing away from the demands of professional football. In his community roles, Podolak has supported athletics through appearances at alumni events and maintained ties to the organization via occasional public engagements, while also contributing to local sports mentoring in the Aspen area without major formalized philanthropy. Podolak has maintained his in later years through avid golfing and outdoor activities in Colorado's mountainous terrain. In , he faced personal challenges related to alcohol overuse, culminating in a public incident in Tampa following the Outback Bowl, which led him to seek treatment; he successfully addressed the issue through a formal program and has since maintained .

Awards and honors

Football accolades

During his senior year at the University of Iowa in 1968, Podolak was named first-team All-Big Ten and team MVP as a , capping a in which he rushed for 937 yards and set a then-conference record with 286 rushing yards on just 17 carries against Northwestern. In his rookie season with the in 1969, Podolak contributed to the team's AFL and subsequent win in over the , 23-7. Upon retiring after the 1977 season, Podolak held the Chiefs' franchise record for rushing yards with 4,451. Podolak earned recognition for one of the most remarkable individual playoff performances in during the 1971 divisional round against the Miami Dolphins, where he accumulated 350 all-purpose yards—85 rushing, 110 receiving, and 155 on returns—in a 27-24 loss that extended to 82 minutes and 40 seconds, the longest game in league at the time. This remains the single-game playoff record for all-purpose yards. On August 12, 1972, in the preseason opener at the newly constructed , Podolak became the first player to score a there, rushing for a 1-yard score in a 24-14 win over the Cardinals before a crowd of 78,190.

Hall of Fame inductions

Ed Podolak's exceptional football career, marked by early accolades at the high school and college levels, culminated in several prestigious Hall of Fame inductions that affirmed his lasting legacy as a versatile player. In 1989, Podolak was inducted into the Hall of Fame, honoring his contributions as a multifaceted who excelled in rushing, receiving, and special teams during his professional tenure with the team. Podolak's high school achievements were recognized in 2004 when he was enshrined in the High School Athletic Association Football Hall of Fame for his standout performances at Atlantic High School, where he demonstrated remarkable athletic prowess as a prep . The Missouri Sports Hall of Fame inducted Podolak in 2014, celebrating his impactful career with the and his broader influence on sports in the region as a durable and dynamic performer. Finally, in 2021, Podolak joined the Athletics Hall of Fame, acknowledging his leadership and record-setting play as a Hawkeye, including his roles as team captain and MVP during the 1968 season.

References

  1. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PodoEd00.htm
  2. https://www.chiefs.com/hallofhonor/players/edpodolak
  3. https://mosportshalloffame.com/inductees/ed-podolak/
  4. https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2024/04/22/hawkeye-great-ed-podolak-transitions-out-of-radio-booth
  5. https://hof.hawkeyesports.com/inductees/podolak/
  6. https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2022/08/31/theyre-a-lot-of-talk-but-iowa-hawkeyes-broadcasters-know-their-business-too/
  7. https://ahsneedle.com/38054/showcase/legacies-of-atlantic-ed-podolak/
  8. https://westerniowatoday.com/2018/08/19/atlantic-football-legend-ed-podolak-honored-at-the-trojan-bowl/
  9. https://www.si.com/college/iowa/football/ed-podolak-hall
  10. https://iagenweb.org/iahss/iowa-high-schools/current-high-schools/atlantic/atlantic-boys-basketball.html
  11. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/ed-podolak-1.html
  12. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/college/iowa/2014/08/07/iowas-23rd-best-football-victory-in-the-last-50-years/13733979/
  13. https://hawkeyerecap.com/player.asp?id=145
  14. https://www.kcur.org/sports/2024-01-13/kansas-city-chiefs-miami-dolphins-nfl-longest-game
  15. https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/kansas-city-chiefs/article265964636.html
  16. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PodoEd00/gamelog/playoffs/
  17. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197112250kan.htm
  18. https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/columnists/chad-leistikow/2019/09/05/iowa-hawkeyes-football-ed-podolak-50-years-super-bowl-kansas-city-chiefs-gary-dolphin-tony-romo/2209937001/
  19. https://krcgtv.com/news/local/hawkeyes-broadcaster-former-chiefs-player-ed-podolak-steps-down-from-radio-analyst-role
  20. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcY-KKhNjLo
  21. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/1/01/01/hawkeye-announcer-podolak-has-provided-unvarnished-truth-since-1982/3396703/
  22. https://hawkfanatic.com/2024/04/22/a-suggestion-on-who-should-succeed-ed-podolak-in-radio-booth/
  23. https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/football/2024/04/22/ed-podolak-moving-out-of-role-as-iowa-football-radio-color-commentator/73410971007/
  24. https://marcmwm.wordpress.com/2009/04/11/eds-ok-and-ready-for-the-fight-of-his-life/
  25. https://who13.com/news/ed-podolak-announces-hes-leaving-hawkeye-radio-booth-after-42-years/
  26. https://www.aspentimes.com/news/still-super-after-36-years/
  27. https://rmaly.blogspot.com/1990/04/ed-podolak-hall-of-fame-april-20-1986.html
  28. https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/12/22/ed-podolak-kansas-city-chiefs-miami-dolphins-christmas-day-talking-football
  29. https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/sports/football/2020/01/30/super-bowl-54-kansas-city-chiefs-fans-celebrate-central-iowa-ed-podolak/4611542002/
  30. https://dailyiowan.com/2009/04/13/commentator-ed-podolak-back-amp-sober/
  31. https://hawkeyesports.com/news/2009/04/11/podolak-meets-the-media
  32. https://www.hawkcentral.com/story/sports/college/iowa/2021/07/06/iowa-athletics-hawkeyes-announces-2021-hall-fame-class-headlined-roy-marble-ed-podolak/7880926002/
  33. https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/iowa/1968.html
  34. https://www.profootballhof.com/news/2013/12/news-fact-or-fiction-the-longest-game-in-nfl-history-occurred-on-christmas/
  35. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/leaders/all_purpose_yds_single_game_playoffs.htm
  36. https://www.chiefs.com/news/inside-the-stacks-the-top-moments-in-geha-field-at-arrowhead-s-first-25-years-part-one
  37. https://www.iahsaa.org/achieve/football-hall-of-fame/
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