 Lou Slaby in 1965 | |
| No. 51 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker,defensive tackle |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | (1941-12-13)December 13, 1941 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died: | August 23, 2019(2019-08-23) (aged 77) Morristown, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Weight: | 235 lb (107 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Salem (OH) |
| College: | Pittsburgh (1960–1962) |
| NFL draft: | 1963: 5th round, 69th pick |
| AFL draft: | 1963: 4th round, 29th pick |
| Career history | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats atPro Football Reference  | |
Lou Slaby (December 13, 1941 – August 23, 2019) was an Americancollege and professionalfootball player who playedlinebacker anddefensive tackle in theNational Football League (NFL) for two seasons for theNew York Giants and one season for theDetroit Lions. He played college football at theUniversity of Pittsburgh as afullback andlinebacker.
Louis Richard Slaby was born in Cleveland, Ohio of an immigrant father and first-generation mother. Lou grew up inSalem, Ohio, where he attendedSalem High School. Lou lettered in football, basketball, and track.[1] Lou played fullback and linebacker in football. The football team was coached by Ohio State's and futureCollege Football Hall-of-Fame coach,Earle Bruce. He was named to the All-Ohio (2nd team).[2] He was a High School All-American and played in the National High School Prep All America Classic game in Baton Rouge, LA and in Pennsylvania's Big 33 vs. All-America All-Stars game in Hershey, PA.[3][4] Lou was one of the most highly recruited high school football players in Ohio (1958-1959).[5] Lou was subsequently voted 1st Team All-Time Salem High School football team.[6]
In basketball, Lou averaged 13.1 points per game and 14 rebound per game.[5][7] He set game, season, and career school rebounding records.[5][8][9] Salem High School's won-loss regular season record during Lou's two years as a starter was 35 -1. His senior year Salem High School was runner-up in Ohio's Class AA basketball tournament, Ohio's highest class.[10][11][1] He was named All-Ohio Honorable Mention[8] and was subsequently voted 1st Team on the All-Time Salem High School basketball team.[6]
In track and field Lou set his high school's record in the shot put.[6][12]
Slaby played fullback and linebacker for theUniversity of Pittsburgh (1960–1962) during an era of limited substitutions. He was also a member of the 1960–1961 Pitt varsity basketball team.
Slaby was drafted in the 5th round (69th player chosen) in the1963 NFL draft by theNew York Giants[13] and in the 4th round (29th player chosen) in the1963 AFL draft by theDenver Broncos[14][13] (before the two leagues merged). Slaby signed with the New York Giants. Slaby was injured in training camp in 1963 and spent the season on Injured Reserve. In 1964 Slaby was named to the 1964UPI All Rookie team.[7] He was also named the New York Giants Rookie of the Year.[15] The following year, he suffered a knee injury mid-year and finished the season as a defensive tackle. Slaby ended his career in 1966 with theDetroit Lions.[16][13]
Slaby received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering degree from theUniversity of Pittsburgh and an MBA from theBaruch College School Of Business. Following football, Slaby worked in various engineering capacities. In 1986 Slaby founded Slaby Engineering Associates, Inc., an engineering consulting firm specializing in municipal engineering and planning, the design of public works projects and in land development.[8][17]
Slaby was married to Virginia Slaby. They have two children, Richard and Laura.[8]
Slaby died of heart failure on August 23, 2019, atMorristown Medical Center inMorristown, New Jersey.[18]