Tom Beckman

Tom Beckman

Beckman (99) and Butch Carpenter (94) from 1972 Michiganensian
No. 89
Position:	Defensive end, Linebacker, Tackle
Personal information
Born:	(1950-09-21) September 21, 1950 (age 67) Saginaw, Michigan
Height:	6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:	250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
College:	Michigan
Career history
Univ. of Michigan (1969–1971) St. Louis Cardinals (1972) Memphis Grizzlies (1974–1975)
Career college statistics
Games: 16 Tackles: 88 Solo: 53

Thomas Clare Beckman (born September 21, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan) is a former American football player. He played college football for the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1971 under head coach Bo Schembechler. He played professional football for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1972 and for the Memphis Grizzlies of the World Football League from 1974 to 1975.

Beckman was born in Saginaw, Michigan, and went to H.S > Chesaning, Michigan. He starred in both football, basketball, Baseball and Track at Chesaning High School, graduating in 1968.

Beckman enrolled at the University of Michigan in 1968 on a football scholarship. After his freshman year, Michigan head coach Bump Elliott retired and was replaced by Bo Schembechler. Beckman played for Schembechler during his first three years as head coach. He later recalled the transition from Elliott to Schembechler as follows:

"I had no idea who the guy was. I found out in our first meeting. He was very intense with well-defined goals. My first impression was, 'We'll see.' ... He basically put us through hell during winter conditioning. I think he did that so that those without the want, ability or heart would leave."

Beckman played for Schembechler from 1969 to 1971. During those seasons, the team finished with records of 8-3 (1969), 9-1 (1970), and 11-1 (1971). During the 1970 and 1971 seasons, Beckman became a starter at the end, linebacker, and tackle positions. In 1971, he accumulated 64 tackles, including 42 solo tackles.

Beckman was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the third round (57th overall pick) of the 1972 NFL Draft. During a 1972 pre-season game against the Buffalo Bills, Beckman tore cartilage in his knee while trying to tackle O.J. Simpson. Beckman recalled, "Back then, they didn't have the scope (arthroscopic surgery), so they cut you open and it was major surgery." Beckman returned from the knee surgery to play in two games for the Cardinals during the 1972 NFL season. Interviewed in 2008, Beckman questioned the wisdom of his decision to return to action so soon after the knee surgery: "After surgery, the doctor said do what you want. I was playing seven weeks later. Looking back, that was the wrong thing to do. I'm on tap for knee replacement because of it."