Carl Samuelson

Carl Clinton Samuelson (April 11, 1923 – August 17, 1995) was an American professional football player who played at the defensive tackle and tackle positions. He played college football at Nebraska in 1946 and 1947 and professional football for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1947 to 1951.

Samuelson was born in 1923 in Grand Island, Nebraska, and attended Grand Island High School. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. After the war, he played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers at tackle in 1946 and at end and tackle in 1947. He was inducted in 1992 into the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame.

Samuelson was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 10th round (83rd overall pick) of the 1947 NFL draft. In March 1948, he announced he would leave school early to play professional football. He played for the Steelers from 1948 to 1951 and appeared in a total of 43 NFL games, 12 as a starter. He scored his only NFL touchdown against the New York Giants in October 1949 when he ripped the ball from the arms of running back Joe Scott and ran 24 yards to score. In June 1952, the Steelers traded Samuelson to the New York Giants in exchange for Al Patterson. He did not appear in any regular-season games with the Giants.

After his playing career ended, Samuelson was an employee of Storz Brewing for approximately 20 years. In the 1970s, he also owned Sam's Pub in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska. He died in 1995 at age 72 in Grand Island, Nebraska.