Definition
Jack Abendschan (born July 17, 1952) is a former professional gridiron football player who served primarily as a placekicker and punter for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL) from 1974 to 1982.
Overview
Abendschan began his football career at the collegiate level with the University of Kansas, where he performed as a kicker. After going undrafted by the National Football League (NFL), he signed with the Edmonton Eskimos in 1974. Over nine seasons, he became one of the CFL’s most reliable special‑team players, contributing to four Grey Cup championships (1975, 1978, 1979, 1980). He was selected as a CFL West Division All‑Star in 1975, 1977, and 1979, and earned league‑wide All‑Star honors in 1979. Upon retirement, he held several franchise records for field‑goal accuracy and punt yardage. Following his playing career, Abendschan worked as a high school teacher and football coach in the United States.
Etymology/Origin
The surname “Abendschan” is of Germanic origin, likely derived from a locational name meaning “evening field” (German Abend = “evening” and Schon or Schan a variant of Schön = “beautiful” or “field”). The given name “Jack” is a common English diminutive of “John”.
Characteristics
- Positional Role: Primarily a placekicker and punter, possessing a strong, accurate leg for field goals, extra points, and long punts.
- Playing Style: Noted for consistency under pressure; his field‑goal percentage during his peak years exceeded 70 %, a notable figure in the CFL of the 1970s.
- Physical Profile: Stood 6 ft 0 in (183 cm) and weighed approximately 190 lb (86 kg) during his playing career.
- Achievements: Four Grey Cup titles, multiple all‑star selections, and franchise records for field‑goal attempts and punts in a single season.
Related Topics
- Canadian Football League (CFL)
- Edmonton Eskimos (now Edmonton Elks)
- Placekicking and punting techniques in gridiron football
- Grey Cup championship history
- University of Kansas football program