Edward Leo Opalewski Jr. (November 11, 1919 – March 4, 1993), sometimes known as "Opie", "Big Ed", and "The Sheriff", was an American football player. Opalewski was born in Detroit in 1919. He attended Detroit's Pershing High School and played freshman football at the fullback position for Michigan State Normal College (now known as Eastern Michigan University) in 1940. He also competed in track in college. Opalewski also played professional football in the National Football League (NFL) as a tackle for the Detroit Lions. He appeared in 11 NFL games, five as a starter, during the 1943 and 1944 seasons. He also played tackle for the Paterson Panthers of the American Football League in 1947. He was married for 50 years to Virginia Golenbiewski Opalewski. After his playing career ended, he worked for General Motors in Ypsilanti, Michigan, from 1957 to 1980. He died at his home in Novi, Michigan, of cardiac arrest in 1993 at age 73. References 1919 births 1993 deaths Pershing High School alumni American football tackles Eastern Michigan Eagles football players Detroit Lions players Players of American football from Detroit