Former NFL player Bob Schulte enthusiastically cheers for the Minnesota Vikings, the team he played for in the mid-1960s. “I’ve been rooting for the Vikings for a very long time,” says Bob, who is now retired and living at The Courtyard at McHenry.
“I played in an era when football legends like Dick Butkus, Vince Lombardi, and ‘Pappa Bear’ Halas were part of the NFL,” proudly recalls Bob, adding, “It was a great time.” Following the path of his father, who played college and semi-pro football, Bob had quite the legendary football career himself.
Bob’s Play-by-Play
In high school, the Chicago Tribune recognized Bob, already 6’4” and 240 pounds, as the Defensive Tackle of the Year. Bob went on to play for Upper Iowa University (UIU), where his senior year, the Peacocks won the conference championship, and he was named All-Conference Tackle. In 2015, Bob was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, noting, “They sure made me wait a long time!”
After college, the Vikings drafted Bob, and he wore jersey #70—the same number he wore in college—for two thrilling NFL seasons before hanging up his cleats. He then taught history and coached high school football in the Chicago suburbs. Always a high achiever, Bob climbed the ladder to high school principal, a position he held for years before retiring.
Family Legacy
At UIU, Bob’s future wife cheered for him from the sidelines with the Peacock cheer squad. They enjoyed 56 years of marriage and raised two boys and a girl together. While Bob’s children possess many talents, the family football genes skipped a generation and went to a grandson who played college football. “He took after his grandpa,” Bob states with pride and joy.
Today, Bob lives among mostly Chicago Bears fans at The Courtyard at McHenry’s independent, assisted living, and memory care community. But that doesn’t stop him from wearing purple on any given Sunday.