Bengals offensive lineman Bruce Kozerski started 138 games as a center and interior lineman for Cincinnati from 1984 through 1995. He was a three-time alternate for the Pro Bowl from 1988-90, named "Mr. Versatile" and the starting center against the San Francisco 49ers during Super Bowl XXIII. Currently Kozerski is a high school teacher at Holy Cross High School in Covington, Kentucky where he is also the school's head coach for the Holy Cross football team.
Kozerski was one of ten finalists named for the 2011 NFL Teacher Of The Year Award; an award handed out to former NFL players that have taken up professions in teaching.
On Tuesday the NFL announced that Burt Grossman, with the Eagles and Chargers from 1989-94 won the $5,000 award that includes a $5,000 grant to Hoover High School, where Grossman teaches, from the NFL.
The Candidates.
| Teacher/Former Player | School | Team/Years In NFL |
|
Bobby Abrams |
Tallahassee High School - Tallahassee, AL |
1990-1996: Giants, Cowboys, Browns, Vikings, Patriots |
|
Troy Drayton |
Forest Glen Middle School - Coral Springs, FL |
1993-2000: Rams, Dolphins, Chiefs |
|
Brad Fichtel |
Maurine Cain Middle School - Rockwell, TX |
1993-1994: Rams |
|
Burt Grossman |
Hoover High School - San Diego, CA |
1989-1994: Chargers, Eagles |
|
Bruce Kozerski |
Holy Cross High School - Covington, KY |
1984-1995: Bengals |
|
Gary Marangi |
Patchogue-Medford High School - Gordon Heights, NY |
1974-1976: Bills |
|
Art Plunkett |
Las Vegas High School - Las Vegas, NV |
1981-1987: Cardinals, Patriots |
|
Dave Rozumek |
Salem High School - Salem, NH |
1976-1979: Chiefs |
|
Rob Rubick |
Lapeer West High School - Lake Nepessing, MI |
1982-1988: Lions |
|
Cory Schlesinger |
Allen Park High School - Allen Park, MI |
1995-2006: Lions |