By Darin Tim Krumrie dominates the trenches with a legendary work ethic that redefined defensive line play in Madison. From his small-town Wisconsin roots to becoming the most prolific tackler in Badger history, Krumrie hunted ballcarriers with unparalleled ferocity. He led the program out of a two-decade postseason drought and transformed himself from a 10th-round underdog into a two-time NFL Pro Bowler. Discover the story of the “Ironman” nose tackle who combined world-class wrestling leverage with a motor that never stopped running.
Football Bio
May 20, 1960 – Menomonie, Wisconsin – Tim Krumrie, the Wisconsin Badgers defensive lineman from 1979 to 1982, celebrates his date of birth.
Tim’s bio on the NFF’s website states that after his collegiate career, he was the All-Time leading tackler for the University of Wisconsin. Krumrie was a consensus First Team All-American in 1981 as he registered 135 tackles that season, which is still Wisconsin’s single-season record for a defensive lineman.
He is currently third on the school’s career tackles list with 444, and he owns the school record with 276 career solo tackles. The three-time All-Big Ten selection led the Badgers to two bowl games, including a win in the 1982 Independence Bowl, where he earned Defensive MVP honors after posting a then-school bowl-record 13 tackles.
Krumrie also took them to the 1981 Garden State Bowl, Wisconsin’s first postseason berth since 1962. Tim Krumrie was selected for induction into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2016. Tim was selected in the 10th round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Cincinnati Bengals, where he would spend his entire 12-year career from 1983 94.
The two-time Pro Bowl selection led the Bengals to an appearance in Super Bowl XXIII. After un-snapping the chinstrap for the last time, Krumrie spent some time in the Bengals organization as their defensive line coach from 1995 to 2002. He would go on to serve the same role with the Buffalo Bills (2003-05) and the Kansas City Chiefs (2006-09).
Conclusion
Tim Krumrie cements his legacy as one of the toughest individuals to ever wear a football helmet. He holds the Wisconsin record for career solo tackles, a testament to his ability to shed blocks and finish plays in space. By transitioning from a collegiate tackling machine to a foundational piece of the Cincinnati Bengals’ Super Bowl run, Krumrie proved that heart and technique outweigh draft position. His 2016 induction into the College Football Hall of Fame honors a man who gave every ounce of effort to the game, both as a championship-level player and a dedicated coach.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2016.
- Consensus First-Team All-American: 1981.
- Wisconsin Record Holder: Most career solo tackles (276) and single-season tackles by a defensive lineman (135).
- 3× First-Team All-Big Ten: 1980, 1981, 1982.
- Independence Bowl Defensive MVP: 1982.
- 2× NFL Pro Bowl Selection: 1987, 1988.
- First-Team All-Pro: 1988.
- Super Bowl Participant: Started for the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl XXIII.
- Wisconsin Athletic Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1999.
- NCAA Wrestling Standout: Finished his freshman year as an All-American wrestler at Wisconsin.