(Atlantic) Atlantic football legend Ed Podolak was honored Sunday at the Trojan Bowl.
Podolak was an all-around athlete at Atlantic High School and went on to play college football at the University of Iowa followed by nine seasons for the Kansas City Chiefs.
Ed was a member of Atlantic football teams that won twenty-three consecutive games and was named All-State, All-Southwest Iowa and All-Conference during his football career Atlantic.
Ed Podolak moved on to the University of Iowa where he played quarterback and tailback. The Atlantic native accounted for 4,214 yards in three seasons. One of his most memorable moments was in the game on November 9, 1968, against Northwestern when rushed for 268 yards on just 17 carries.
His heroics on the football field didn’t go unnoticed by the professional football scouts. Following his senior season at Iowa, Ed was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1969 AFL/NFL Draft in the second round, 48th pick overall, and the team won Super Bowl IV during his rookie season.
During his nine seasons with the Chiefs, the Atlantic and Iowa University alum rushed for 4,451 yards scored 34 touchdowns and piled up 8,178 total yards. In a playoff game on December 25, 1971, against Miami, Ed piled up 355-total yards, which was a playoff record. In honor of his storied Pro career, Ed was inducted into the Kansas City Chiefs Hall of Fame in 1989 and today is part of the “Ring of Honor” at Arrow Head Stadium.
After his pro football career, Podolak became a broadcaster and has been the color commentator for the Iowa Football Radio Broadcasts since 1982.
Gary Dolphin, (pictured above) the voice of the Iowa Hawkeyes, was in attendance and had this to say about the Atlantic Football Legend.
Ed (pictured above) began his speech by recognizing his former High School Football Coach Howard Justice. He credited Coach Justice for his success and noted they never lost a game at Trojan Bowl.
In honor of Ed’s storied career, the street in front of the Atlantic Middle School was renamed “Ed Podolak Drive.” Ed was also presented with a large plaque listing all of his accomplishments. The plaque is now on display at Trojan Bowl for everyone to see when they enter the stadium.
