Oscar Kruger
No. 14, 22, 94, 96 | |
Born: | Edmonton, Alberta | December 24, 1932
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Died: | July 4, 2010 Edmonton, Alberta | (aged 77)
Career information | |
CFL status | National |
Position(s) | DB |
Height | 5 ft 9 in (175 cm) |
Weight | 170 lb (77 kg) |
CJFL | Edmonton Wildcats |
Career history | |
As player | |
1954–1965 | Edmonton Eskimos |
Career highlights and awards | |
CFL West All-Star | 1957, 1958, 1961, 1962 |
Honours | 1992 - Edmonton Eskimos Wall of Honour |
Oskar Kruger (December 24, 1932 – July 4, 2010) was a defensive back for the Edmonton Eskimos from 1954 to 1965 of the Canadian Football League.[1]
Brought up in Edmonton, Kruger played for the Edmonton Wildcats in 1953 and then in 1954 for the Edmonton Eskimos. He played 12 seasons at safety and ended his career with 46 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries.[2][3] Kruger was also a boxing champion for Alberta. While playing football, he attended the University of Alberta from which he graduated with a law degree.[3] He was a Western Conference All-Star in 1957, 1958, 1961, and 1962 and also led the league in interceptions 3 times.[4] In particular, he intercepted 7 balls each year from 1956 to 1958 and 6 balls in 1961 and 1963. He was also a punt returner, especially at the start of his career.
In 1963, Kruger was named the Eskimos’ Top Canadian before retiring in 1965.[3] His name is honoured on the Edmonton Eskimos Wall of Honour on the Commonwealth Stadium.[3][5]
After his football career, Kruger practiced law in Edmonton after obtaining his degree from the University of Alberta.
Kruger contested the 1967 Alberta general election in the Strathcona South constituency as a member of the Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta. Kruger was defeated by Social Credit candidate Gerrit Radstaak.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ Jones, Terry (October 10, 2004). "Memories of '54 remain fresh". Edmonton Sun. Archived from the original on July 22, 2012.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Oscar Kruger football statistics on StatsCrew.com".
- ^ a b c d "Edmonton Eskimos - Wall of Honour". www.esks.com. Archived from the original on 2010-10-28. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
- ^ 1962 Post cereal football card.
- ^ Jones, Terry (October 10, 2004). "Pless remains among best". Edmonton Sun. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012. Retrieved 2010-06-08.
{{cite news}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Strathcona-South Official Results 1967 Alberta general election". Alberta Heritage Community Foundation. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
- 1932 births
- 2010 deaths
- Canadian football defensive backs
- Edmonton Elks players
- Players of Canadian football from Alberta
- Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta candidates in Alberta provincial elections
- Canadian sportsperson-politicians
- Canadian football people from Edmonton
- University of Alberta Faculty of Law alumni
- Canadian football defensive back stubs