A 1949 graduate of then Schlarman High School who went on to play in the National Football League and help win two Super Bowls has died. Zeke Bratkowski was 88. There are multiple media sources saying he died at his home in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida early today.
After graduating from Schlarman, Bratkowski attended Georgia where he was an All-American quarterback. He played in the NFL from 1957 until 1974 as a player. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears, played for the Rams, was traded to the Green Bay Packers in 1963, where he went on to win five NFL Championships – including Super Bowl I and II.
Bratkowski became a coach in the NFL following his playing days, retiring following the 1995 season. While in retirement he remained active as a consultant and personal coach at various levels of football.
And Bratkowski never forgot his roots. He remained an active supporter of Schlarman Academy, hosting an annual golf event at Danville Country Club. In later years he hosted a number of Danville area friends during Green Bay Packer Alumni Weekend also as a way to help his hometown community. Bratkowski said he was proud to have played for all-time great coaches including Paul Shebby at Schlarman, Wally Butts at Georgia, George Hallas with the Bears, and Vince Lombardi in the NFL.
Edmund ‘’Zeke” Bratkowski was 88.
{In the photo…Bratkowski, on right, talks with retired Danville High School football coach and athletic director B.J. Luke about former coach Paul Shebby. The discussion occurred in September of 2016 at a Schlarman Golf Outing.}
