Arthur Michalik, NFL Linebacker Who Caused the Invention of the Face Mask in the NFL

Arthur Michalik (born January 31, 1930) was a linebacker in the NFL, and 3 time National Wrestling Alliance, PNW Tag Team Champion. High School Teacher and football coach at La Quinta High School when it opened in 1963 and Pacifica High School, Garden Grove, CA. He may be best known as the man who is inadvertently responsible for the invention of the FACE MASK in pro football. In a game against the Cleveland Browns in 1953, he smashed his elbow into the face of Otto Graham who was already on the ground, with the play over. The blow caused Graham to suffer a slight concussion and a gash on his face, that split the corner of his lips toward the cheek, requiring 15 stitches to close. Graham took them without Novocaine and Browns Head Coach Paul Brownreturned him to the field to finish the game with a plexiglass bar added to his helmet for protection.