Cyclone Legend Merv Krakau: Iowa Time Machine May 16, 1951

Iowa Time Machine ⏰: On May 16, 1951, all-time great Cyclone and NFL football player Merv Krakau was born in Jefferson. A standout four-sport athlete at Guthrie Center, Krakau played six seasons in the NFL after a Hall of Fame career at Iowa State.

Known as a versatile athlete while competing at Guthrie Center, Krakau caught the eye of Iowa State assistant coach Jimmy Johnson. Recruited by Johnny Majors, Krakau accepted a scholarship to play at Iowa State during the spring of 1969.

In Ames, Krakau disrupted opponents' offensives while starring at defensive end. A key contributor to Iowa State’s first two teams to make bowl game appearances, many Iowa State fans remember when Krakau dominated against Nebraska during his senior season in 1972. In the game, the defensive end notched eleven tackles and two sacks while also causing and recovering two fumbles to help the Cyclones snap a 24-game Husker Big Eight win streak with a 23-23 tie.

Named first-team All-Big 8 and third-team All-American, Krakau played six seasons in the NFL. In 1976, he started all fourteen games as a middle linebacker for the Buffalo Bills, racking up 132 tackles and finishing second in the NFL in fumble recoveries with six. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar