Joseph Kulbacki, a 1956 graduate of Youngsville High School who went on to play for both Purdue University and the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League, has died.
He was 74.
Kulbacki was born in Ridgway on March 1, 1938, and went on to star for the Youngsville Eagles football teams from 1953 to 1956. His playing career for the Eagles caught the attention of the Big Ten's Purdue Boilermakers and Kulbacki earned a scholarship to the university.
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Joe Kulbacki
After a four-year playing career for the Boilermakers, Kulbacki was drafted in the 16th round of the 1960 NFL Draft by Washington Redskins. Instead of signing with the NFL, Kulbacki chose to play for the Buffalo Bills of the AFL for the 1960 season - the first year of the Bills franchises' existence.
Kulbacki played just one season for the Bills, but had a prominent role in the team's offense and return game.
He rushed 41 times for 108 yards and a touchdown during his pro career. His touchdown was a 10-yard run scored during the second quarter of a 45-28 loss to the Dallas Texans on November 6, 1960.
In addition to his running totals, Kulbacki caught two passes for nine yards, returned 13 kicks for 226 yards and 12 punts for 100 yards.
After his playing career, Kulbacki served proudly in the United States Army as a Second Lieutenant, authored a book titled "America...A Nation That's Lost It's Way", was an owner of South Hill Farms and was an entrepreneur lastly owning Automation Integrators, Inc.