Al Blozis
|
|
Al Blozis ( -- January 21, 1945) was a world-class athlete who died in World War II.
He was born in Garfield, New Jersey. He attended Dickinson High School in Jersey City, where he became well known for throwing the shotput and discus. At Georgetown University, he was the national indoor and outdoor shotput champion in both 1942 and 1943. He set the world indoor record for the shotput, throwing it 56 feet 4.5 inches in 1941 at a meet in Cleveland. He held this record until his death.
He played tackle for the New York Giants. His 6 foot 6 inch height and 245 pound weight was extremely large at the time. So large, his military training was delayed while custom uniforms were made. However, his large size did not effect his athletic ability. In practice, he occasionally threw passes to receivers. He could throw a football over 70 yards in the air. He played for the Giants in 1942 and 1943 before entering the military. He was able to play three games in 1944 when on furlough.
He was inducted into the Army on December 9, 1943. He was first assigned to duty as a physical instructor at Walter Reed General Hospital and then went through Officers' training at Fort Benning. At Fort Benning, he set the Army's hand grenade throwing record with a toss of 94 yards, 2 feet 6.5 inches. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 28th infantry division. In January 1945, his platoon was in the Vosges Mountains of France scouting enemy lines. When two of his men, a seargent and a private, failed to return from a patrol, he went in search of them alone. He never returned. He was first listed as missing, but in April his death was confirmed.
The New York Giants retired the number he wore, 32. A second Giants player, Jack Lummus also died in World War II.
Sources
- Blozis was killed Jan 21 in France, New York Times, April 9, 1945.
- Two Giants Were Heroes Far From Playing Field; Al Blozis, a Star Tackle, and Jack Lummus, a Promising Receiver, Died in Combat in World War II, New York Times, January 26, 1991.