Dave Kocourek

Dave Kocourek (August 20, 1937 – April 24, 2013) was an American college and professional football player who played collegiately at Wisconsin. As a professional, he played for the Canadian Football League's Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1959, and then played for nine years as a tight end in the American Football League, from 1960 through 1965 for the Los Angeles/San Diego Chargers; for the AFL's Miami Dolphins in 1966; and for the AFL's Oakland Raiders in 1967 and 1968. He caught 55 passes for 1,055 yards in 1961 for 19.2 yards per reception, helping the Chargers win their second straight AFL West title. He was an AFL All-Star for four straight years, from 1961 through 1964, and was on the Charger team that defeated the Boston Patriots for the 1963 AFL Championship. He played in seven AFL Championship Games, the only man to do so; with the Chargers in 1960 and 1961, 1963, 1964 and 1965; and the Oakland Raiders in 1967 and 1968.

He was selected second team tight end on the American Football League All-Time Team.

Kocourek died on April 24, 2013, in Marco Island, Florida after suffering from progressive dementia. His brain has been donated to Boston University’s Center for the Study of Traumatic Encephalopathy (CSTE) for further examination as part of the NFL's ongoing concussion study.