Tight End Dave Kocourek Dies of Dementia

Todd Oh, my! I’m so sad to hear this…although we knew it was “coming.” As I’ve told you, he lived right up next to Kate Sessions Park in Pacific Beach, where we used to go to play after-school football…and we would often stop during the off-season to ask, “Mr. Kocourek, would you sign this for us?” What a truly nice guy he was to us kids!!! And I DID take pics of the house recently, intending to send them to his wife and him…but, as you know, I’ve been “hijacked by life” for the past 6 months or so and never got around to it. May he R.I.P.–he was truly one of my HEROES from the early days of the A.F.L.!

“Field goal attempt, Daryle Lamonica kneeling, waiting for the snap… takes the snap and – IT’S A FAKE! Lamonica rolls out to his right, looking down field, he throws – Dave Kocourek has it and he’s into the end zone – touchdown Raiders!”

1967 AFL Championship Game… a close 10-0 contest just before halftime becomes a rout, Kocourek’s grab & Raider guile the ticket to a Superbowl: FINAL – @OAK 40 HOU 7

Long live the AFL and long may Kocourek as the rest be remembered.

Dave was very good receiver and a class act. He led the 1961 Chargers with 55 receptions. Despite his tight end size, he worked mostly as a wide receiver in 60 and 61, along with Ralph Anderson and Don Norton. I remember sitting in the north end zone of Balboa Stadium in 1961 watching Dave score a TD on a 76 yard reception against the Bills. It was an exciting reception and run, as Dave broke many tackles. When Howard Clark retired after 1962, Dave moved to TE, making room for Alworth. I also remember when Dave filled in (I think in early 64) at Channel 10 while Al Coupee was recovering from a heart attack. Dave looked very comfortable as a broadcaster.