TOM RYCHLEC
Tom Rychlec suited up on the gridiron for AIC in the mid-1950s and served as team captain his senior season, 1956. An All-American receiver as a senior, Rychlec caught 40 balls that season and finished with 88 receptions over his career. In 1969 Rychlec was named to the AIC All-Time Football Team and following his senior season was drafted in the 10th round by the NFL’s Detroit Lions.
Over a six-year professional career, Rychlec
played for the Lions, Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos. His
best season as a pro came in 1960 when he caught 45 passes for 590
yards in Buffalo, finishing ninth in the fledgling American
Football League in receptions. The following season Rychlec caught
33 passes for 405 yards. He later played with future
presidential hopeful Jack Kemp in Buffalo and following his NFL
career played semi-professionally for the Hartford Charter Oaks and
the Hartford Knights.