Dave Kocourek, a notable name in American football history, began his professional career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 1959. He then transitioned to the American Football League (AFL), where he made a significant impact as a tight end. From 1960 to 1965, he played for the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers, followed by a season with the Miami Dolphins in 1966, and concluding his AFL tenure with the Oakland Raiders in 1967 and 1968. His impressive performance in 1961, catching 55 passes for 1,055 yards at an average of 19.2 yards per reception, was instrumental in leading the Chargers to their second consecutive AFL West title.
Kocourek's excellence on the field was acknowledged with four consecutive AFL All-Star selections from 1961 to 1964. He was a pivotal member of the Chargers team that clinched the 1963 AFL Championship against the Boston Patriots. His record of playing in seven AFL Championship Games, the only player to do so, is a testament to his skill and consistency. He played for the Chargers in the 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, and 1965 championship games and for the Raiders in 1967 and 1968, winning a championship with each team. His contributions were recognized with a selection as the second-team tight end on the American Football League All-Time Team. Over nine playoff games in seven seasons, he tallied 15 catches for 257 yards and 2 touchdowns.
Following his playing career, Kocourek transitioned into broadcasting. He served as a color commentator on NBC's AFL and NFL telecasts in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Additionally, he teamed up with Mark Champion to broadcast Tampa Bay Buccaneers games on the radio in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Sadly, Kocourek passed away on April 24, 2013, in Marco Island, Florida, after suffering from progressive dementia. In a final contribution to the sport, his brain was donated to Boston University's Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) for research as part of the NFL's ongoing concussion study.
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