1963 Jet Linebacker Profiles

HUBERT BOBO
Middle Linebacker
No. 57
Ohio State
"The football spotlight has been on Big Bo for a decade since he starred as a sophomore fullback regular on an Ohio State Rose Bowl team.
New York has found him a stable, steady performer at the crucial middle linebacker position. He likes to hit, the first requisite of a good defender.
The amazing thing about Bo is that he has had to play his recent campaigns on a pair of bad knees, both scarred from operations. But happily they keep gaining strength with time."

-1963 Fleer No. 21


LARRY GRANTHAM
Linebacker
No. 60
Mississippi
"If a linebacker who's less than 200 pounds is a rarity than Larry Grantham must be a phenom. No ordinary toiler is this 25-year-old Crystal Springs, Mississippi head-cracker, who comes in at 195 and hits with the authenticity of a 220-pounder. An All-League choice for three years, he's considered the best tackler at his post and is seldom guilty of allowing a runner or pass-receiver to escape his grasp.
Slated for end duties as a '60 rookie, he was never permitted to display his offensive wares once the coaches noticed his sharpness on defense."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963

"Larry's listed as a linebacker but weighs 30 pounds less than the norm for the job. Since he's too valuable to keep out of the lineup, New York compensates for his lack of size by flopping him over to play always on the side of the split end. Larry has the reflexes to become an extra peg in the pass defense, and the fiery will to stop huge fullbacks in their tracks on runs.
Last season he was All-AFL."

-1963 Fleer No. 20


ED COOKE
Linebacker
No. 82
Maryland
Having played every for the Titans in 1961 and 1962, Ed made three interceptions in '61, including one returned 43 yards.
It was in the sixth game of the 1962 season with New York still holding to title hopes, however, that he showed his truly gritty spirit. With the Titans trailing the Oilers in the third quarter at Jeppesen Stadium, Ed recovered a Houston fumble in the end zone for a touchdown, narrowing Houston's lead to 35-17, although the Oilers would win 56-17.


WALT MICHAELS
Linebacker-Coach
No. 34
Washington & Lee
"Best Brown linebacker, say NFL coaches. Michaels earned All-Pro recognition for his bruising play.
He was originally drafted by the Browns but traded to the Packers in '51. He came back in a 1952 deal, has been a regular ever since and now calls the defensive signals. His brother Lou is a topflight place-kicker and Ram defensive end.
Born in Swoyerville, Pa., Walt was a first-rate plunging fullback in college."

-1960 Pro Football Handbook

"From superior college fullback to All-NFL linebacker is the success story of Walt Michaels, the Swoyerville (Pa.) signal-caller on defense, whose brother Lou is a Steeler defensive end. Walt was a Packer for one season (1951) after being drafted by the Browns.
He believes in position play, preferring to guard his right side against all invaders."

-1961 Pro Football Handbook

"The hub of Paul Brown's defending corps since 1952 has been Walt Michaels. From his corner linebacking post, Walt calls the signals and after ten pro seasons he retains the speed to nab fleet runners on wide sweeps and protect the flat zones on passes.
A dairy farmer in Pennsylvania during the off-season, Walt was fullback star at Washington & Lee. His brother, Lou, plays with the Rams."

-1961 Fleer No. 18

"One of the fine defensive leaders of the Browns, Walt is alert to all of the opposing team play. He is a tough man to start with."

-1961 Topps No. 75

"Walt has been with the Browns since 1952, playing only as a linebacker. He calls the Browns' defensive signals."

-1961 National City Bank (Cleveland), Set No. 1, Player No. 4

"Coming over from Oakland to New York is Walt Michaels, the one-time All-NFL linebacker who put in so many excellent years with the Browns and one season at Green Bay. Born in Swoyerville, Pennsylvania, his brother, Lou, is the kicking ace and crack defensive end of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Walt was a player under Ewbank when Weeb coached linemen."

-Don Schiffer, Pro Football 1963