Reported by: Vince Pellegrini
For the first time since 1980, the NFL’s all-stars will not convene in Honolulu instead they will be playing later this month in Miami. On January 31, the NFL’s best will meet in the Pro Bowl at Dolphins Stadium.
However, the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area has produced many great football players including a number of stellar offensive linemen. Scranton Central High School’s Mike Munchack was a former first round selection of Houston in the 1982 draft. After starting 156 games at his guard position, Munchack was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2001. Mike was selected to play in the Pro Bowl nine times including seven straight trips (1987-93).
In the 1951 NFL Draft, did the Cleveland Browns really know who they were getting in Walt Michaels in the 7th round from little Washington & Lee University? Chances are that they didn’t. Michaels was voted to five straight Pro Bowls (1955-59). He made 133 starts and recorded eleven interceptions over his eleven year career.
Here is a glance at the Northeast Pennsylvanian contribution to the Pro Bowl. Many people compare Youngstown, Ohio to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton area. Here’s your chance to compare each region in terms of individual National Football League success:
Northeast Pennsylvania High School Pro Bowl Selections by Year
Year | Name | High School | NFL Team | Pos |
2000 | Tim Ruddy | Dunmore | Dolphins | C |
1993 | Mike Munchack | Scranton Central | Oilers | G |
1992 | Mike Munchack | Scranton Central | Oilers | G |
1991 | Mike Munchack | Scranton Central | Oilers | G |
1990 | Mike Munchack | Scranton Central | Oilers | G |
1989 | Mike Munchack | Scranton Central | Oilers | G |
1988 | Mike Munchack | Scranton Central | Oilers | G |
1987 | Mike Munchack | Scranton Central | Oilers | G |
1985 | Mike Munchack | Scranton Central | Oilers | G |
1984 | Mike Munchack | Scranton Central | Oilers | G |
1965 | Ed Rutkowski | Kingston | Bills | WR |
1964 | John Paluck | Swoyersville | Redskins | DE |
1963 | Lou Michaels | Swoyersville/Staunton Military | Steelers | DE |
1962 | Lou Michaels | Swoyersville/Staunton Military | Steelers | DE |
1959 | Walt Michaels | Swoyersville | Browns | LB |
1958 | Walt Michaels | Swoyersville | Browns | LB |
1957 | Walt Michaels | Swoyersville | Browns | LB |
1956 | Walt Michaels | Swoyersville | Browns | LB |
1955 | Walt Michaels | Swoyersville | Browns | LB |
1953 | Charley Trippi | Pittston/LaSalle Academy | Cardinals | HB |
1952 | Charley Trippi | Pittston/LaSalle Academy | Cardinals | QB |
1942 | Chuck Cherundolo | Old Forge | Steelers | C |
Chuck Drulis | Girardville | Bears | G | |
John Siegal | Larksville | Bears | WR | |
1941 | Chuck Cherundolo | Old Forge | Steelers | C |
Al Matuza | Shenandoah/Staunton Military | Bears | C | |
John Siegal | Larksville | Bears | WR | |
1940 | John Siegal | Larksville | Bears | WR/DE |
Northeast Pennsylvania College Pro Bowl Selections by Year
Year | Name | College | NFL Team | Pos |
1942 | Enio Conti | Bucknell | Eagles | G |
1940 | Clarke Hinkle | Bucknell | Packers | FB/LB |
1939 | Clarke Hinkle | Bucknell | Packers | FB/LB |
1938 | Clarke Hinkle | Bucknell | Packers | FB/LB |
Stu Smith | Bucknell | Steelers | FB/D |