Julius William Contz was born on May 12, 1961, in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania.[1] He played football and basketball at Belle Vernon Area High School in Belle Vernon.[1][2] He was a two way tackle on the football team and helped them win their first conference title.[2] He also helped the basketball team win their first WPIAL title.[2] Contz averaged 17.4 points per game in basketball his senior year in 1978–79.[2]
College career
Contz was a member of the Nittany Lions at Pennsylvania State University from 1979 to 1982 and a three-year letterman from 1980 to 1982.[1] He became a starter in 1981 and was a starter on the school's first ever national championship team in 1982.[2] He earned Associated Press second-team All-East honors that season.[3]
Professional career
Contz was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round, with the 122nd overall pick, of the 1983 NFL draft.[4] He officially signed with the team on May 31.[5] He played in all 16 games for the Browns during his rookie year in 1983.[4] He appeared in 15 games, starting nine, for the team in 1984 before being placed on injured reserve on December 12, 1984.[5][4] The next year, Contz was placed on the physically unable to perform list on August 20, 1985.[5] He was later activated on October 19 and played in four games during the 1985 season.[5][4] He played in one game for the Browns in 1986 before being released on September 10, 1986.[5][4]
Contz signed with the New Orleans Saints on September 23, 1986.[5] He proceeded to start the next 13 games for the Saints that year, recovering two fumbles.[4] The Saints finished the 1986 season with a 7–9 record.[6] He only appeared in three games for the team during the 1987 season.[4] He played in 11 games, starting two, in 1988. Contz spent the month of November 1988 on injured reserve.[4][5] He became a free agent after the 1988 season.[5]
On August 21, 1989, he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts for a 1990 conditional eleventh round draft pick.[7] He was released by the Colts on August 30, 1989.[5]
Personal life
After his NFL career, Contz worked for Federated Investors and then worked in medical device sales.[2] His book "When the Lions Roared: Joe Paterno and One of College Football's Greatest Teams" (Triumph Books) was released in September 2017.[8]
References
123"BILL CONTZ". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved December 25, 2024.
