Kelly Saalfeld

Kelly Dean Saalfeld (born February 15, 1956) is a former center in the National Football League (NFL). Saalfeld was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the ninth round of the 1980 NFL draft and would play that season with the New York Giants.

Kelly Saalfeld

No. 59
Position:	Center
Personal information
Born:	(1956-02-15) February 15, 1956 (age 68) Columbus, Nebraska, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	246 lb (112 kg)
Career information
High school:	Columbus (NE) Lakeview
College:	Nebraska
NFL draft:	1980 / round: 9 / pick: 226
Career history
Green Bay Packers (1980)* New York Giants (1980)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Second-team All-Big Eight (1979)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 7 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Saalfeld grew up on a farm near Columbus, Nebraska, and suffered many injuries as a child, including two concussions and two broken arms.^[1] He attended Lakeview High School in Columbus, where he played football.^[2] Saalfeld earned a full scholarship to Kearney State College, but turned it down to attend the University of Nebraska.^[2]

College career

Saalfeld walked on to the Nebraska freshman team in 1975.^[2][3] He was then redshirted his second season, after which he was converted from an offensive tackle to center.^[1] In 1977, Saalfeld served as a backup to All-American center Tom Davis and earned his first letter.^[4] He went on to serve as the starting center in 1978 and 1979, earning third-team All-American honors from the Football News and a Senior Bowl invite as a senior.^[4]

Saalfeld was inducted into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 2009.^[5]

Professional career

Saalfeld was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the ninth round of the 1980 NFL draft.^[6] He was cut in August.^[7] Saalfeld was signed by the New York Giants that November and played in seven games in the 1980 season.^[8][9]

Post-playing career

Saalfeld later refereed at the professional level in NFL Europe and the Arena Football League.^[10] He also refereed in college football, including the 2009 Senior Bowl – 29 years after playing in the same all-star game.^[10]

Currently works for a Culligan Water provider.

References

1. York, Randy (October 31, 1979). "Saalfeld no longer accident looking for place to happen". Lincoln Journal. p. 49. Retrieved October 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
2. "Two couples attend game and reception". The Schuyler Sun. October 25, 1979. p. 22. Retrieved October 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
3. York, Randy (October 13, 1979). "Nebraska-KU battle offers 'happy homecoming' for Saalfeld". Lincoln Star. p. 11. Retrieved October 20, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Kelly Saalfeld – Football 1979". Nebraska Cornhuskers Athletics. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
5. "Nebraska Football Hall of Fame inductees". Omaha World-Herald. July 15, 2009. p. 22. Retrieved October 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
6. York, Randy (May 1, 1980). "Saalfeld ready to buck odds – again". Lincoln Journal. p. 21. Retrieved October 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Packers cut Kelly Saalfeld". Oshkosh Northwestern. August 25, 1980. p. 10. Retrieved October 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Giants sign Culbreath". Oshkosh Northwestern. November 6, 1980. p. 4. Retrieved October 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Kelly Saalfeld". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
10. Kaipust, Rich (January 21, 2009). "Referee relates to All-Star stresses". Omaha World-Herald. p. 21. Retrieved October 23, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.