Tom Janik

Tom Janik
No. 26, 27, 21
PositionsDefensive back  Punter
Personal information
Born(1940-09-06)September 6, 1940
Poth, Texas, U.S.
DiedNovember 21, 2009(2009-11-21) (aged 69)
Poth, Texas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight190 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High schoolPoth
College
NFL draft1963: 12th round, 167th overall pick
AFL draft1963: 3rd round, 21st overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL/AFL statistics
Punts253
Punting yards9,890
Longest punt58
Interceptions25
Fumble recoveries1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Thomas Alvin Janik (Pronounced: Yah-NICK) (September 6, 1940 – November 21, 2009) was an American professional football defensive back and punter, playing in the American Football League (AFL) from 1963 to 1969 and then playing his final two seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He had 10 interceptions in 1967, tying for the AFL lead that year. He was selected to the AFL All-Star team in 1967. The Associated Press selected him AFL Defensive Player of the Week in the 1966, 1967 and 1968 seasons. When he retired after the 1971 season, he had the fourth most interception returns for touchdowns in AFL/NFL history. He returned interceptions against three Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterbacks for touchdowns (Len Dawson, Bob Griese and Joe Namath).