Role American football player | College: Michigan State Name Bert Zagers | |
Date of birth: (1933-01-30)January 30, 1933 Date of death: September 2, 1992(1992-09-02) (aged 59) Place of death: Traverse City, Michigan Died September 2, 1992, Traverse City, Michigan, United States | ||
Place of birth: Fremont, Michigan Positions Halfback, Defensive back High school: Cadillac High School Education Michigan State University | ||
Bert Zagers: Football Halfback and Defensive Back
Bert Aldon Zagers (January 30, 1933 – September 2, 1992) was an American football player who played halfback and defensive back for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL).
Contents
- Bert Zagers Football Halfback and Defensive Back
- Early life
- College career
- Professional career
- Personal life
- References
Early life
Zagers was born in Fremont, Michigan to Evert and Opal Lee Zagers. He attended and played high school football at Cadillac High School in Cadillac, Michigan, where he won a State Championship in 1949. He also participated in track and field. Zagers was inducted into the Cadillac High School Hall of Fame in 1951.
College career
Zagers attended and played college football at Michigan State University. In 1952, the Spartans completed a perfect undefeated season and were recognized as the national champions by most major polling organizations including the AP Poll and Coaches' Poll.
Professional career
Zagers was drafted in the seventh round of the 1955 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He was then traded to the Washington Redskins, along with Bob Trout, for Harry Gilmer. Zagers played his entire career with the Redskins and in 1957, he led the NFL in punt returns.
Personal life
Zagers fought with the United States Army in the Korean War, where he attained the rank of private first class. After retiring from playing, he was the head coach at Theodore Roosevelt High School in Wyandotte, Michigan in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He died on September 2, 1992 in Traverse City, Michigan.