Mike Boyda

Mike Boyda
No. 32
PositionsLinebacker  Fullback  Punter
Personal information
Born(1921-11-21)November 21, 1921
Jenners, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedJuly 16, 1984(1984-07-16) (aged 62)
Overland Park, Kansas, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Listed weight205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High schoolElders Ridge (Elders Ridge, Pennsylvania)
CollegeWashington and Lee (1946–1948)
NFL draft1949: 5th round, 44th overall pick
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games played9
Punts56
Punting yards2,475
Punting average44.2
Longest punt61
Interceptions1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Michael Bartholomew Boyda (November 28, 1921 – July 16, 1984) was an American professional football player who was a linebacker, fullback and punter for the New York Bulldogs of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Washington and Lee Generals.

College career

Boyda played college football for the Washington and Lee Generals at quarterback from 1946 to 1948.[1][2][3]

Professional career

New York Bulldogs

Boyda was selected with the 44th pick in the fifth round of the 1949 NFL draft by the New York Bulldogs.[4] He played in nine games, handling punting duties for the Bulldogs.[5] Boyda punted 56 times for 2,475 yards with a longest punt of 61 yards and an average of 44.2.[6] Due to the formula in place at the time, the NFL announced that he was the punting champion for the 1949 NFL season, despite having the fourth-highest punting average in the league.[7][8] In a blowout loss to the Chicago Cardinals, Boyda made an interception off of Paul Christman.[9][10]

New York Giants

Boyda was selected with the 371st pick in the 29th round of the 1950 NFL draft by the New York Giants, but never signed with the team.[11][3]

References

  1. ^ "Lukens Captain". NewspaperArchive.com. Bluefield Daily Telegraph. October 13, 1948. p. 8. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  2. ^ "Tribe Scores, Only 8 Points in Five Tries". NewspaperArchive.com. Pulaski Southwest Times. November 17, 1948. p. 5. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  3. ^ a b "Mike Boyda Pro Football Stats". www.profootballarchives.com. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  4. ^ "1949 National Football League Draft". Pro Football Hall of Fame. December 21, 1948. Archived from the original on October 12, 2025. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  5. ^ "Mike Boyda Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  6. ^ "Mike Boyda Football Statistics". statscrew.com. Retrieved February 18, 2026.
  7. ^ "Halas Wants Punt and Pass Ratings Overhauled". Newspapers.com. The Washington Star. December 15, 1949. p. 55. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  8. ^ "Jenners' Boyda Top Punter In '49 In NFL". NewspaperArchive.com. Somerset Daily American. February 28, 1950. p. 6. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  9. ^ "Chicago Cardinals at New York Bulldogs - November 13th, 1949". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  10. ^ "Mike Boyda Football Statistics | The Football Database". FootballDB.com. Retrieved February 19, 2026.
  11. ^ "Pros Draft State Stars". NewspaperArchive.com. Pulaski Southwest Times. January 23, 1950. p. 5. Retrieved February 19, 2026.