Theodore Charles Pavelec (November 4, 1918 – April 15, 2005) was an American football player. A native of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Pavelec attended St. Augustine High School in Kalamazoo where he won varsity letters in football, basketball, baseball, and golf. He then attended the University of Detroit and played college football as a tackle and place-kicker for Gus Dorais' Detroit Titans football teams from 1938 to 1940. He was rated as one of the best linemen in University of Detroit history. In November 1940, he kicked a 43-yard field goal to give the Titans a 3–0 victory over TCU. He also competed in Catholic Youth Organization boxing while attending the University of Detroit. He was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 85th pick in the 1941 NFL Draft, signed with the club in May 1941, and won a starting role with the club in September 1941. He played for the Lions during the 1941, 1942, and 1943 seasons, appearing in 25 NFL games, 14 as a starter. In 1944, Pavelec played as a guard and place-kicker for the Hollywood Rangers of the American Football League, winning all-pro honors and kicked 67 out of 69 extra points and five field goals, including a 51-yarder. While playing for Hollywood, he also signed to play the role of a boxer in the feature film "The Great John L.". Pavelec died in 2005 References 1918 births 2005 deaths People from Kalamazoo, Michigan American football guards American football tackles Detroit Titans football players Detroit Lions players Players of American football from Michigan