Charles Martin Amsler (October 26, 1942 – January 4, 2024) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, and Green Bay Packers.[1][2] He played college football for the Evansville Purple Aces.
| No. 81, 87, 89 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive end | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | October 26, 1942 Evansville, Indiana, U.S. | ||||
| Died: | January 4, 2024 (aged 81) Evansville, Indiana, U.S. | ||||
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 255 lb (116 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Benjamin Bosse (Evansville) | ||||
| College: | Evansville | ||||
| NFL draft: | 1965 / round: 18 / pick: 243 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Early years
editAmsler went to Benjamin Bosse High School in Evansville, Indiana, and graduated in 1960.[3] He graduated from University of Evansville in 1967.[4]
In 1964, he was named to the All-Conference team of the Indiana Collegiate Conference at defensive end.[3]
Amsler was inducted into the University of Evansville Hall of Fame and the Indiana Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and 2001 respectively.[5]
Professional career
editDallas Cowboys
editAmsler was selected in the 18th round (243rd overall) of the 1965 NFL draft by the Dallas Cowboys.[2] He became the first graduate from the University of Evansville to be drafted into the NFL.[3] He was waived before the season started and returned to Evansville, to serve as an assistant coach for the offensive and defensive linemen.
Denver Broncos (first stint)
editAmsler signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent in 1966, but was cut before the season started.
Wheeling Ironmen
editIn 1966, he played defensive end for the Wheeling Ironmen of the Continental Football League.[6]
Chicago Bears
editAmsler signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bears in 1967 and played in fourteen games that season,[1][7][8] registering one interception and one fumble recovered. He missed the 1968 season with a torn Achilles tendon.[8] The next year, he played in eleven games and recorded one fumble recovery.[2] He was released on September 14, 1970.[9]
Cincinnati Bengals
editAmsler was claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Bengals on September 15, 1970 and played three games before being cut.[1][10]
Green Bay Packers
editThe Green Bay Packers signed Amsler to their taxi squad on October 18, 1970, before activating him in week six and playing him the rest of the season (9 games). He also played on special teams.[1]
Denver Broncos (second stint)
editAmsler signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent in 1971, but was released on September 2.[11][12] Throughout his entire NFL career he played in 37 games and started in 20.[2]
Personal life
editAmsler was a member of the NFL Players Association Former Players Board of Directors.[13][14] He lived in Evansville, Indiana and Mount Prospect, Illinois.[1][15] While living in Mount Prospect, he was named to the board of directors for the satellite branch of the Franklin Boulevard Community Hospital proposed for just south of Wheeling.[15] He had a son named C. Martin Amsler III.[16]
Amsler died in Evansville, Indiana, on January 4, 2024, at the age of 81.[17]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e Remmel, Lee (November 19, 1970). "Packer Potpourri". Oshkosh Daily Northwestern. Oshkosh, Wisconsin. p. 39.
- ^ a b c d "Marty Amsler NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
- ^ a b c "Marty, Amsler". Indiana football Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 5, 2010. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ^ "Honor Roll of Donors". Evansville, Indiana: University of Evansville. Archived from the original on October 9, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
- ^ "Former Players Board of Directors". NFL Players. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
- ^ "Sayers Sparks Chicago Bears' Attack". Retrieved September 10, 2017.
- ^ "Kuechenberg, Amsler Give Packers Extra Inspiration". Appleton Post-Crescent. Appleton, Wisconsin. Post-Crescent News Service. December 11, 1970. p. 13.
- ^ a b Billings, Bob (February 19, 1969). "Sayers, Amsler Getting In Shape". Charleston Daily Mail. Charleston, West Virginia. Chicago Daily News Service. p. 24.
- ^ "2 Former Grid Stars Retire". Retrieved September 10, 2017.
- ^ "Marty Amsler: Game Logs". NFL.com. NFL Enterprises LLC. Archived from the original on January 30, 2013. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
- ^ "Duranko Injured". Beckley Raleigh Register. Beckley, West Virginia. United Press International. September 15, 1971. p. 22.
- ^ "Super Bowl Rematch Set Tonight In Baltimore". Retrieved September 10, 2017.
- ^ Beard, Randy (July 18, 2010). "QB Club Will Have Chief of NFL Players Union as Guest Speaker". Evansville Courier & Press. Evansville, Indiana. p. C1.
- ^ Beard, Randy (May 12, 2010). "Amsler speaks for NFL veterans". The E.W. Scripps Co. Archived from the original on March 3, 2012. Retrieved September 28, 2010.
The former University of Evansville hall of famer just completed his first year serving on the NFL Former Players Board of Directors, which enabled him to take part in a historic first last month.
- ^ a b "Ex-Bear Amsler on hospital panel". The Herald. Chicago, Illinois. March 13, 1974. p. 65.
- ^ "Engagements". The Gazette. Cedar Rapids, Iowa. August 8, 1999. p. 108.
- ^ "Obituaries in Evansville, IN | Courier Press". courierpress.com. January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 9, 2024.