Fred Biletnikoff Erie's All-American Football Player

Fred Biletnikoff Erie's All-American Football Player

Hall-of Famer Fred Biletnikoff had a long career with the Oakland Raiders, but he got a humble start playing for Tech Memorial High School, graduating in 1961. There is a tribute to him on Peach Street.

He was born on Feb. 23, 1943 in Erie and attended Florida State University, racking up the stats. 

Gene Cuneo wrote a nice tribute to Fred for this All-American Banquet booklet: "Fred is Erie's first 'Real' All American. When you take a boy from the North East side of Erie who goes to a West side school, plays basketball for an Italian Coach- Al Calabrese, plays football for a German and a Polish Coach- Walt Strosser and Ray Dombrowski, then goes to a Southern University- Florida State-plays for a Swede- Bill Peterson, marries an Irish girl and then goes and signs with a West Coast team- there you have a 'real' All American."

Here's a video of Freddie Biletnikoff telling his story: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-bFyBnmS6M&feature=relmfu

Enjoy more historic facts and photos of Erie natives at Old Time Erie