The View From Wisconsin

The other day, I went out and purchased a copy of the ESPN Pro Football Encyclopeda, First Edition. Unintentionally, it brought back a memory: my grandfather had a younger brother who played in the NFL.

Jerry Mertens was a defensive back with the San Francisco 49ers for his entire career, playing in 91 games from 1959 to 1965. He missed only one year, 1963. That's all that the ESPN Encyclopedia says about him, but databaseFootball.com says he actually intercepted two passes in 1959, returning one for a touchdown.

I'd love to find out which game that was and get the box score from it.

I have already found out what number he wore as a Niner: it's pretty likely no one is going to wear his number 80 ever again.