Paul Pollack was an outstanding football and baseball player from 1946 through 1959. Playing for the famed Warren Red Jackets, Paul played end on defense and offense. The Youngstown Vindicator proclaimed the 1947 Red Jackets as the “undisputed rulers of semi-pro diadem of northwestern Pennsylvania and southwestern New York..” Paul was the favorite aerial target of quarter-back Warnie “Lefty” Check.
He performed the punting for the Red Jackets averaging well over 40 yards per kick. It is reputed that he learned his kicking skills from Hall of Fame teammate Harry “Rosey” Rosequist. In a punting exhibition at Russell Field Paul kicked the ball 79 yards in the air and got another 21 yards on the bounce for a !00 yard punt. Also, he performed the extra point kicking and he was a very strong field goal kicker. Paul would often kick his field goals barefoot from a straight-on position.
When a noted college kicker put on a demonstration of his kicking skill during halftime at a game in Warren, Pollack was asked to compete against him for that demonstration. The college kicker kept pace with Paul, but when they reached the 50 yard mark, the college man had to quit. Paul made the 55 yard field goal and went on to a 60 attempt to win the competition. Paul’s longest fieldgoal in a game was 53 yards against Jamestown. Paul was offered a contract by the Pittsburgh Steelers which he turned down.
The Red Jacket organization closed down in 1949 so Paul played for the 1958 Jamestown Dukes, another semi-professional team in the area. Paul’s final football game was in College Stadium against the Buffalo Bills. An outstanding baseball player, Paul played for the semi-pro Ludlow Wildcats and he played five years for a Pittsburgh Pirate farm team in Oil City. An exceptional hitter and fielder, Paul also pitched many games. He often played outfield in order to keep his bat in the game. Paul coached many kids in football and baseball into the 1960’s.
