NFL Player Career
Patera's NFL playing career started when he was drafted in the fourth round of the 1955 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts. Although he was initially drafted as an offensive guard, he was soon switched to the defense as a linebacker and played at that position for three seasons under head coach Weeb Ewbank. In 1958, he was traded to the Chicago Cardinals and played there for two seasons under head coach Frank Ivy. In 1960, he was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the 1960 NFL Expansion Draft. Under head coach Tom Landry, he was designated as the starting middle linebacker in the Cowboys 4-3 defensive scheme. Unfortunately Patera's playing career ended early when he suffered a knee injury in the fourth game of the 1960 season. Patera returned in 1961, but played in only two games and retired at the end of the season.
Read more about this topic: Jack Patera
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