Rollin Putzier

Rollin William Putzier (December 10, 1965 – April 25, 2018) was an American football player. He played defensive tackle in the National Football League, and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round of the 1988 NFL Draft.[1] He was also a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers, winning Super Bowl XXIV with the 49ers, and played in the World League of American Football with the Montreal Machine and London Monarchs.

Rollin Putzier
No. 76, 64
Position:Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:(1965-12-10)December 10, 1965
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Died:April 25, 2018(2018-04-25) (aged 52)
Huntsville, Alabama
Height:6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Weight:279 lb (127 kg)
Career information
High school:Post Falls (ID)
College:Oregon
NFL Draft:1988 / Round: 4 / Pick: 88
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played:16
Player stats at NFL.com
Player stats at PFR

Early career

Born and raised in northern Idaho, he graduated from Post Falls High School in 1984 and played college football for Oregon. After his senior season, Putzier was named co-team MVP with Anthony Newman.[1] He participated in the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine at the conclusion of his college career.[2]

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

Putzier was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fourth round (88th overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft, and signed a three-year contract with the team.[3] He was cut at the end of training camp and heard the news from a friend before the team informed him.[4]

Pittsburgh Steelers

On September 7, 1988, Putzier was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers to a one-year contract.[3] He was cut the following day after failing a physical exam,[5] likely due to a broken foot suffered in training camp with the Packers.[4] He re-signed with the team on November 2, and played in five games during the latter portion of the season.[5]

Putzier was waived on July 28, 1989 after security personnel found two unloaded pistols at his training camp residence.[5]

San Francisco 49ers

Shortly after his release from the Steelers, Putzier signed with the San Francisco 49ers.[6]

On August 29, 1989, Putzier was suspended four games by the NFL for steroid usage.[7] He was reinstated by the league on September 26.[8] He played in twelve regular season games, but did not make the team's playoff roster and did not participate in Super Bowl XXIV, which the 49ers won.[9]

He was waived by the 49ers during final roster cuts on September 3, 1990.[10]

Denver Broncos

Putzier spent part of the 1991 training camp with the Denver Broncos before being cut.[11]

Montreal Machine (WLAF)

Putzier spent the 1991 season with the Montreal Machine of the World League of American Football.[12] He was drafted in the third round (26th overall) by the team.[13] He played with the team the following year, but then the league went on hiatus.[14]

London Monarchs (WLAF)

Putzier was drafted by the London Monarchs in the 1995 WLAF draft.[14]

Post-football life

After his football career ended, Putzier moved to Huntsville, Alabama, married, had children, divorced, and worked as a bouncer.[15][16] His Super Bowl XXIV ring was stolen when Putzier was shot trying to break up a 2008 fight in the parking lot of the apartment complex he was living in.[15] He was in the intensive care unit for three weeks after the shooting, including time spent in an induced coma and on a ventilator.[17] He died in Huntsville on April 25, 2018, at the age of 52.[18]

References
  1. Conrad, John (April 25, 1988). "Rams draft Ducks' Newman". Eugene Register-Guard. Eugene, Oregon. p. 4C – via Google News.
  2. "Putzier's name should be early". Spokane Spokesman-Review. April 21, 1988. Retrieved September 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Steelers Sign ex-Duck Putzier". Eugene Register-Guard. September 7, 1988. Retrieved September 10, 2020 – via Google News.
  4. Boling, Dave (December 12, 1988). "Post Falls' Putzier adjusting to life in dog-eat-dog NFL". Spokane Spokesman-Review. Retrieved September 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Putzier cut after guns found in room". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. September 2, 1989. Retrieved September 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. Boling, Dave (August 22, 1989). "Putzier hopes change of team will bring luck". Spokane Chronicle. Retrieved September 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. "N.F.L. Bans 15 for Drugs or Steroids". The New York Times. August 30, 1989. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  8. "NFL Reinstates 11 Steroid Offenders". The Oklahoman. September 27, 1989. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  9. Jenkins, Jim (August 1, 1990). "Putzier's health gives him a chance in camp". Sacramento Bee. Retrieved September 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. Jenkins, Jim (September 4, 1990). "49ers may re-sign waived players". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Retrieved September 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. Goldberg, Dave (August 21, 1991). "Giants delay QB choice; teams begin to cut back". Casper Star-Tribune. Retrieved September 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. Goldberg, Dave (March 3, 1991). "No-name players try one more time". The Anniston Star. Retrieved September 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "WLAF draft". The Courier-News. Newspapers.com. February 21, 1991. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  14. "Idaho players await the return of WLAF". South Idaho Press. February 23, 1995. Retrieved September 10, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. "Valuable property stolen from former NFL player". WAFF. August 21, 2008. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  16. Cumbow, Victoria (December 29, 2010). "Newspaper carrier saves family in house fire". The Huntsville Times. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  17. McLaughlin, Budd (July 27, 2008). "Pals help bouncer get back on his feet". AL.com. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
  18. "Rollin Putzier Obituary". Legacy. Retrieved September 10, 2020.
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