Robert Young Sandberg (January 10, 1922 – May 8, 2015) was an American gridiron football player, who later had a career as an architect.
A graduate of University of Minnesota, Sandberg joined the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 1947.Winnipeg Blue Bombers Alumni all-time roster His rookie season was spectacular, as he led the league in scoring, was an all-star, and won the Jeff Nicklin Memorial Trophy as western MVP.Bob Sandberg Leads West Gridiron Scoring The Calgary Herald, September 22, 1948Sandberg Top Scorer in West Ottawa Citizen, October 15, 1947 His season was capped with a dramatic and heartbreaking Grey Cup defeat. Having played a phenomenal game in the 35th Grey Cup, scoring the Bombers only touchdown, he tried a fake kick in the last minute with the score tied and it didn't work; the Toronto Argonauts won a classic nail-biter 10–9.1947 – Toronto Argonauts 10, Winnipeg Blue Bombers 9 Time Confused Bob The Leader-Post, December 1, 1947
His 1948 season was a disappointment, falling to sixth in league scoring,Blue Bombers' Bob Sandberg Points to Big Grid Campaign Ottawa Citizen, August 15, 1949 and 1949 was plagued by injuries, leading him to retire.Ready to Quit Ottawa Citizen, October 15, 1949 He attempted a comeback with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1951, but rushed for only 138 yards and scored only 1 touchdown and missed the Grey Cup game due to the Canadian Rugby Union import rule.Sandberg Ruled as Non-Import Saskatoon Star-Phoenix, August 31, 1951Fumbles Also Counted by Bob Mamini The Calgary Herald, November 27, 1951
After his career in football, Sandberg practiced as an architect in Hibbing, Minnesota, heading his own firm Robert Y. Sandberg & Assocs. Inc; he was a member of the American Institute of Architects. He retired in 1990 and died on May 8, 2015.
References