Visco Grgich
Encyclopedia
Visco Grgich was a professional American football
lineman who played in the All-America Football Conference
and the National Football League
. He played seven seasons for the San Francisco 49ers
. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears
in the 1946 NFL Draft
. Grgich was known as a tough and sometimes vicious two-way lineman who loved to intimidate Norm Van Brocklin
. Grgich was also known for his rousing pep talks prior to games and was even brought back by Coach Frank Albert
to give pep talks after his playing days were through. At the end of his pep talk, Grgich would say "This is the way you've gotta do it!" and would promptly deliver a forearm shiver to the nearest door, wall or even one of the wooden support posts in Kezar Stadium
which was rumoured to be felt throughout Kezar Stadium.
Grgich's playing career was ended by a knee injury in 1952, at which time he became a car salesman until former coach Buck Shaw
demanded he turn to coaching. Grgich became the head
football
coach
at Oakdale High School, in Oakdale, California
in 1957 and 1958. He later became the offensive line coach
for several years at Oakdale High School.
Grgich taught drivers education at Oakdale High School until he retired in 1986. As a teacher he was greatly loved by his many students who quickly learned you could derail a day's instruction at the mere mention of the San Francisco 49ers, at which time Grgich would bring out old reel movies of San Francisco 49ers games from his playing days. In 1982 his students raised money to pay his way to Detroit to watch his beloved San Francisco 49ers play the Cincinnati Bengals
in Super Bowl XVI
. Visco continued to live in the Oakdale, California area until he was moved to Dale Commons assisted-living facility in Modesto, California
shortly prior to his wife Grace, the country and western singer known as "Sioux City Sue," died in 2001. Visco and Sue had 4 children, Steve, Vikki, Toni and Mike. Visco died Monday December 26, 2005 at a Modesto, California hospital.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
lineman who played in the All-America Football Conference
All-America Football Conference
The All-America Football Conference was a professional American football league that challenged the established National Football League from 1946 to 1949. One of the NFL's most formidable challengers, the AAFC attracted many of the nation's best players, and introduced many lasting innovations...
and the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He played seven seasons for the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
. He was originally drafted by the Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears are a professional American football team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the 1946 NFL Draft
1946 NFL Draft
The 1946 National Football League Draft was held on January 14, 1946.The most notable draft choice in this player selection meeting was made by the Washington Redskins and remains one of the biggest draft blunders of all time. They chose Cal Rossi with the 9th overall pick. However, Rossi was a...
. Grgich was known as a tough and sometimes vicious two-way lineman who loved to intimidate Norm Van Brocklin
Norm Van Brocklin
Norman Mack "Norm" Van Brocklin , nicknamed "The Dutchman", was an American football player and coach. He was also a first rate punter in college and in the NFL...
. Grgich was also known for his rousing pep talks prior to games and was even brought back by Coach Frank Albert
Frankie Albert
Frank Cullen "Frankie" Albert was an American football player. He played as a quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers in the National Football League...
to give pep talks after his playing days were through. At the end of his pep talk, Grgich would say "This is the way you've gotta do it!" and would promptly deliver a forearm shiver to the nearest door, wall or even one of the wooden support posts in Kezar Stadium
Kezar Stadium
Kezar Stadium is a stadium located adjacent to Kezar Pavilion in the southeastern corner of Golden Gate Park in San Francisco, California. It is the former home of the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers of the NFL, and of the San Francisco Dragons of MLL. It also served as the home of the...
which was rumoured to be felt throughout Kezar Stadium.
Grgich's playing career was ended by a knee injury in 1952, at which time he became a car salesman until former coach Buck Shaw
Buck Shaw
Lawrence T. "Buck" Shaw was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach for Santa Clara University, the University of California, Berkeley, the San Francisco 49ers, the United States Air Force Academy, and the Philadelphia Eagles...
demanded he turn to coaching. Grgich became the head
Head coach
A head coach, senior coach or manager is a professional at training and developing athletes. They typically hold a more public profile and are paid more than other coaches...
football
High school football
High school football, in North America, refers to the game of football as it is played in the United States and Canada. It ranks among the most popular interscholastic sports in both of these nations....
coach
Coach (sport)
In sports, a coach is an individual involved in the direction, instruction and training of the operations of a sports team or of individual sportspeople.-Staff:...
at Oakdale High School, in Oakdale, California
Oakdale, California
Oakdale is a city in Stanislaus County, California, United States. It is part of the Modesto Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city was founded in 1871 when the Stockton & Visalia Railroad met the Copperopolis Railroad...
in 1957 and 1958. He later became the offensive line coach
Offensive line coach
The offensive line coach is a coaching position in gridiron football that is in charge of the offensive line. This role is very common in the CFL, NFL, and college football programs. The offensive line coach serves the offense, which is led by the offensive coordinator....
for several years at Oakdale High School.
Grgich taught drivers education at Oakdale High School until he retired in 1986. As a teacher he was greatly loved by his many students who quickly learned you could derail a day's instruction at the mere mention of the San Francisco 49ers, at which time Grgich would bring out old reel movies of San Francisco 49ers games from his playing days. In 1982 his students raised money to pay his way to Detroit to watch his beloved San Francisco 49ers play the Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
in Super Bowl XVI
Super Bowl XVI
Super Bowl XVI was an American football game played on January 24, 1982, at the Pontiac Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan to decide the National Football League champion following the 1981 regular season. It marked the first time that a Super Bowl was held at a cold-weather city...
. Visco continued to live in the Oakdale, California area until he was moved to Dale Commons assisted-living facility in Modesto, California
Modesto, California
Modesto is a city in, and is the county seat of, Stanislaus County, California. With a population of approximately 201,165 at the 2010 census, Modesto ranks as the 18th largest city in the state of California....
shortly prior to his wife Grace, the country and western singer known as "Sioux City Sue," died in 2001. Visco and Sue had 4 children, Steve, Vikki, Toni and Mike. Visco died Monday December 26, 2005 at a Modesto, California hospital.