Pat Fischer Cornhusker and Cardinals...

January 2, 1940, in St. Edward, Nebraska, Pat Fischer defied size expectations to become a tenacious and long-lasting cornerback in the National Football League.  

College Career:

Pat Fischer was a standout all-around athlete at the University of Nebraska from 1958 to 1960. He excelled as a halfback, quarterback, safety, and return specialist for the Cornhuskers. Fischer led the team in all-purpose yardage for three consecutive years and holds the school record for career punt return average (18.33 yards). In his senior year, he was the team captain and won the Tom Novak Trophy. He was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1974.  

Road to the Pro Game:

Despite concerns about his 5'9", 170-pound frame, Fischer was drafted in the 17th round of the 1961 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He proved his talent and played seven seasons with the Cardinals (1961-1967), earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors. In 1968, he signed as a free agent with the Washington Redskins, where he spent the final ten seasons of his 17-year NFL career (1968-1977).  

Football Legacy:

Pat Fischer was a fierce and physical cornerback known for his aggressive "bump and run" coverage style. Despite his smaller stature, he was a relentless competitor who earned the respect of his peers. Fischer played in 213 NFL games, a remarkable feat for a cornerback at the time of his retirement. He recorded 56 career interceptions, ranking among the all-time leaders. He was a key member of the Washington Redskins team that reached Super Bowl VII in 1972. Fischer is a member of the Washington Commanders Ring of Fame and was named the Redskins' All-Time Neutralizer by NFL Films.  

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

✦ 3x Pro Bowl (1964, 1965, 1969)  

✦ 2x First-team All-Pro (1964, 1969)  

✦ 2x Second-team All-Pro (1965, 1972)  

✦ George Halas Award (1978)  

✦ Washington Commanders Ring of Fame

✦ Nebraska Football Hall of Fame (1974)  

✦ Nebraska Team Captain (1960)

✦ Nebraska Tom Novak Trophy Winner (1960)  

✦ NFL Career Stats: 213 games played, 56 interceptions, 941 interception return yards, 4 touchdowns.

Info courtesy of Newspapers.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com