Rolf Benirschke

Rolf Benirschke (born February 7 1955) was a kicker in the National Football League for the San Diego Chargers from 1978 to 1987.

Living with ulcerative colitis

However, the problem worsened in the 1979 season, when, on the team plane coming home from a road trip, Rolf collapsed. He underwent two surgeries to remove his large intestine and he was in the intensive care unit for weeks. When released form the hospital, Rolf was only 123 pounds and had to adjust to life with two ostomy appliances.

Related Topics:
1979 - Large intestine - Ostomy

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On Sunday, November 18, 1979, Rolf made his dramatic return to the Chargers in a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. While he did not play, he was named honorary team captain for the game, which was a sellout. Louie Kelcher, one of the Chargers' offensive linemen, assisted Rolf and held his hand out onto the field. In 1980 Rolf returned to kicking and played seven more seasons with the team before retiring in 1987 as the team's all-time leader in points scored (766).

Related Topics:
Sunday - November 18 - Pittsburgh Steelers - Louie Kelcher - Offensive linemen - 1980

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In his career Rolf has been named the NFL Man of the Year, the NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and the NFL Players' Association's Hero of the Year. In 1997 he was the twentieth player inducted into the San Diego Chargers' Hall of Fame.

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