Sports
Alex Wojciechowicz
1915–1992 · American football center and linebacker
Hall of Fame two-way lineman, one of Fordham's "Seven Blocks of Granite", who was the Lions' first-round pick in 1938 and anchored their line until 1946.
- Born
South River, New Jersey- Died
Forked River, New Jersey
aged 76- Birth name
- Alexander Francis Wojciechowicz
- Also known as
- Wojie
- Detroit years
- 1938–1946
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Wojciechowicz grew up in New Jersey and became famous at Fordham University as a member of the "Seven Blocks of Granite" line that also included Vince Lombardi. The Lions made him the sixth overall pick of the 1938 NFL draft, the year the team began playing at Briggs Stadium, and for nine seasons he was a fixture in Detroit as one of the last true iron men of football: a center on offense and a sure-tackling linebacker with unusual range on defense. He rarely left the field and was known for his durability and for his wide stance over the ball. After the Lions lost their 1946 opener, coach Gus Dorais released him along with three other linemen, and he joined the Philadelphia Eagles, winning NFL championships there in 1948 and 1949. He later helped found the NFL Alumni Association and became its first president. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1955 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
Highlights
- Lions first-round pick (sixth overall) in 1938
- Played center and linebacker for Detroit 1938–1946
- One of Fordham's "Seven Blocks of Granite"
- Founder and first president of the NFL Alumni Association
- Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1968
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 1938–1946
Tiger Stadium
Demolished · 1912–1999
The Lions' home for most of his Detroit career; demolished in 2008–2009.