Jim Cheyunski

The Patriots had weak offensive teams during his playing years with them (1968 to 1972) going 19–51. Their defense was on the field a significant amount of time during games, and this caused wear and tear on Cheyunski’s body, manifesting in a number of knee injuries and surgeries.<ref name=”:3″ /> He had three knee surgeries across three seasons, but only missed four games in five years with the Patriots.<ref name=”:6″ /><ref name=”:7″ /> In 1969, the Patriots ran the second fewest offensive plays of any AFL team (729), one more than the Cincinnati Bengals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1969 AFL Standings & Team Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1969_AFL/index.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref> In 1970 they ran the fewest plays among all 26 NFL teams; and were 24th in 1971 and 14th in 1972.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1970 NFL Standings & Team Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1970/index.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1971 NFL Standings & Team Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1971/index.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1972 NFL Standings & Team Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1972/index.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref>

The Patriots had weak offensive teams during his playing years with them (1968 to 1972) going 19–51. Their defense was on the field a significant amount of time during games, and this caused wear and tear on Cheyunski’s body, manifesting in a number of knee injuries and surgeries.<ref name=”:3″ /> He had three knee surgeries across three seasons, but only missed four games in five years with the Patriots.<ref name=”:6″ /><ref name=”:7″ /> In 1969, the Patriots ran the second fewest offensive plays of any AFL team (729), one more than the Cincinnati Bengals.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1969 AFL Standings & Team Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1969_AFL/index.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref> In 1970 they ran the fewest plays among all 26 NFL teams; and were 24th in 1971 and 14th in 1972.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1970 NFL Standings & Team Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1970/index.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1971 NFL Standings & Team Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1971/index.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1972 NFL Standings & Team Stats|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1972/index.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref>

When Cheyunski was traded from Boston in April 1973, Boston sportswriter and author [[Leigh Montville]] praised Cheyunski as a “blue-collar middle linebacker”; even keeled and hardworking without the flamboyance of others playing the position. He described Cheyunski as a professional who showed up for all but four games over five years on a losing team; even when injuries wore him down, permanently damaged his knees and gave him an excuse not to play.<ref name=”:7″ />

=== Buffalo Bills ===

=== Buffalo Bills ===

=== Baltimore Colts ===

=== Baltimore Colts ===

In July 1975, the Baltimore Colts acquired Cheyunski in a trade with the Bills for a sixth round draft choice.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Cheyunski: Colts’ meat-n-potatoes|last=Burdick|first=Arnie|date=December 5, 1975|pages=23|work=Syracuse Herald-Journal}}</ref> He began the 1975 season as the backup to [[Pro Bowl]] and [[All-Pro]] middle linebacker [[Mike Curtis (American football)|Mike Curtis]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mike Curtis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CurtMi00.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref> Curtis suffered an eye injury and only started five games that season, with the Colts record at 1–4. Cheyunski became the starter for the rest of the season. The Colts won their next nine games and made the playoffs. Legendary head coach [[Bill Belichick]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Belichick Advances in Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Selection Process|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/bill-belichick-advances-in-pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2026-selection-process2|website=www.patriots.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en-US}}</ref> was then a young assistant with the Colts, and has said Cheyunski played a key role in the Colts turnaround.<ref name=”:4″>{{Cite web|title=Catching up with … former Colts linebacker Jim Cheyunski|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2016/12/15/catching-up-with-former-colts-linebacker-jim-cheyunski/|website=Orlando Sentinel|date=2016-12-15|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en-US|last=Klingaman|first=Mike}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1975 Baltimore Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1975.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref>

In July 1975, the Baltimore Colts acquired Cheyunski in a trade with the Bills for a sixth round draft choice.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Cheyunski: Colts’ meat-n-potatoes|last=Burdick|first=Arnie|date=December 5, 1975|pages=23|work=Syracuse Herald-Journal}}</ref> He began the 1975 season as the backup to [[Pro Bowl]] and [[All-Pro]] middle linebacker [[Mike Curtis (American football)|Mike Curtis]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mike Curtis Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CurtMi00.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref> Curtis suffered an eye injury and only started five games that season, with the Colts record at 1–4. Cheyunski became the starter for the rest of the season. The Colts won their next nine games and made the playoffs. Legendary head coach [[Bill Belichick]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Belichick Advances in Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2026 Selection Process|url=https://www.patriots.com/news/bill-belichick-advances-in-pro-football-hall-of-fame-class-of-2026-selection-process2|website=www.patriots.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en-US}}</ref> was then a young assistant with the Colts, and has said Cheyunski played a key role in the Colts turnaround.<ref name=”:4″>{{Cite web|title=Catching up with … former Colts linebacker Jim Cheyunski|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2016/12/15/catching-up-with-former-colts-linebacker-jim-cheyunski/|website=Orlando Sentinel|date=2016-12-15|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en-US|last=Klingaman|first=Mike}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=1975 Baltimore Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1975.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref>

By the time he joined the Colts, Cheyunski’s back and knees were in poor condition. He wore a knee brace. Belichick observed that after every game Cheyunski’s knees would blow up like balloons and he could barely walk. His condition got progressively worse each week, and Belichick would wonder after each game whether Cheyunski would be able to play the next week. But Cheyunski would recover by game day and play well.<ref name=”:4″ /> During the Baltimore Colts’ 1975 nine game winning streak Cheyunski helped secure wins over the Miami Dolphins with a fumble recovery; against the [[1975 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]] with a finger-tip interception at the goal line; and over the [[1975 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] with an interception at the Colts’ six yard line.<ref name=”:4″ /> Cheyunski considered himself undersized and emotionally understated in the locker room compared to most middle linebackers. Through pre-game film study he was prepared during games and able to anticipate where offensive plays were going and get a head start on those plays. Though prayerful before games, he described himself as playing “like a maniac” in the games.<ref name=”:4″ />

By the time he joined the Colts, Cheyunski’s back and knees were in poor condition. He wore a knee brace. Belichick observed that after every game Cheyunski’s knees would blow up like balloons and he could barely walk. His condition got progressively worse each week, and Belichick would wonder after each game whether Cheyunski would be able to play the next week. But Cheyunski would recover by game day and play well.<ref name=”:4″ />

During the Baltimore Colts’ 1975 nine game winning streak Cheyunski helped secure wins over the Miami Dolphins with a fumble recovery; against the [[1975 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]] with a finger-tip interception at the goal line; and over the [[1975 New York Giants season|New York Giants]] with an interception at the Colts’ six yard line.<ref name=”:4″ />

He started all 14 games at middle linebacker for the Baltimore Colts in 1976. The team went 11–3, and finished in first place in the AFC East Division.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1976 Baltimore Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1976.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref>

He started all 14 games at middle linebacker for the Baltimore Colts in 1976. The team went 11–3, and finished in first place in the AFC East Division.<ref>{{Cite web|title=1976 Baltimore Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1976.htm|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2025-12-02|language=en}}</ref>

He suffered a cracked vertebra in his back while with the Colts and regularly suffered left leg pain thereafter. As a result of concussions he would be in games calling defensive signals while being out on his feet.<ref name=”:5″ /> He retired before the 1977 season after Colts’ coach [[Ted Marchibroda]] told Cheyunski if he continued to play he would destroy his body.<ref name=”:4″ />

He suffered a cracked vertebra in his back while with the Colts and regularly suffered left leg pain thereafter. As a result of concussions he would be in games calling defensive signals while being out on his feet.<ref name=”:5″ /> He retired before the 1977 season after Colts’ coach [[Ted Marchibroda]] told Cheyunski if he continued to play he would destroy his body.<ref name=”:4″ />

== Legacy ==

When Cheyunski was traded from Boston in April 1973, Boston sportswriter and author [[Leigh Montville]] praised Cheyunski as a “blue-collar middle linebacker”; even keeled and hardworking without the flamboyance of others playing the position. He described Cheyunski as a professional who showed up for all but four games over five years on a losing team; even when injuries wore him down, permanently damaged his knees and gave him an excuse not to play.<ref name=”:7″ />

Cheyunski considered himself undersized and emotionally understated in the locker room compared to most middle linebackers. Through pre-game film study, he came into games prepared and able to anticipate where offensive plays were going, and so could get a head start against opposing offensive plays. Though prayerful before games, he described himself as playing “like a maniac” in games.<ref name=”:4″ />

[[National Sports Media Association|National Sports Media Association Hall of Fame]] Baltimore sportswriter [[John Steadman (sportswriter)|John Steadman]] said of Cheyunski during the 1975 Colts’ winning streak, “Cheyunski is an unselfish individual who gives 100 per cent of himself. His attitude proves again that you can be an outstanding football player and not growl like an animal, snarl at your teammates or take cheap shots at the opposition”.<ref name=”:8″ />

== Personal life ==

== Personal life ==