17 Facts About Bob Thornbladh

Robert N M "Blade" Thornbladh was born on September 19,1952 and is an American former football player, coach and radio color commentator.

Bob Thornbladh played professionally as a linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League.

Bob Thornbladh later served as the color commentator for Michigan football broadcasts on WJR radio.

Bob Thornbladh was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1952 and graduated from Plymouth High School in Plymouth, Michigan.

Bob Thornbladh enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1970 and played at the fullback position for the Wolverines from 1971 to 1973.

Bob Thornbladh gained 677 rushing yards for the Wolverines on 163 carries for an average of 4.2 yards per carry.

Bob Thornbladh scored 11 rushing touchdowns, and his longest run for Michigan was a 31-yard gain against Wisconsin in 1973.

Bob Thornbladh had seven pass receptions for Michigan, gaining 55 yards for an average of 7.9 yards per reception.

Bob Thornbladh returned five kickoffs for 52 yards for an average of 10.4 yards per return.

Bob Thornbladh was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 11th round of the 1974 NFL draft.

Bob Thornbladh made the Chiefs' regular season roster in the 1974 NFL season as a backup to middle linebacker Willie Lanier, but he played only on the special teams in 14 regular season games.

In 1976, Bob Thornbladh returned to the University of Michigan as a graduate assistant on Bo Schembechler's coaching staff.

In 1976, Bob Thornbladh accompanied the team to the Rose Bowl and was the subject of an Associated Press story about expensive soup.

Bob Thornbladh was sent by Schembechler to get 15 tuna fish sandwiches and 15 cups of soup for the coaching staff.

Bob Thornbladh placed the order at a nearby restaurant and came back later to pick it up.

The bill came to $50.56, and Bob Thornbladh did not have enough money.

In 1980, Bob Thornbladh was promoted to assistant coach at Michigan, a position that he held until 1986.