{{Short description|American football player (born 1958)}} {{Use American English|date=November 2024}} {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}} {{Infobox NFL biography | name = George Lilja | image = George Lilja 1985.jpg | position = Center | number = 59, 61, 62, 64 | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|3|3}} | birth_place = Evergreen Park, Illinois, U.S. | height_ft = 6 | height_in = 4 | weight_lb = 264 | high_school = Carl Sandburg {{nowrap|(Orland Park, Illinois)}} | college = Michigan | draftyear = 1981 | draftround = 4 | draftpick = 104 | pastteams = *Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|1981}}–{{NFL Year|1982}}) *New York Jets ({{NFL Year|1983}}–{{NFL Year|1984}}) *Cleveland Browns (1984–{{NFL Year|1986}}) *Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1987}}) *Los Angeles Raiders ({{NFL Year|1989}})* *Atlanta Falcons (1989)* | highlights = * Second-team All-American (1980) * First-team All-Big Ten (1980) | statlabel1 = Games played | statvalue1 = 54 | statlabel2 = Games started | statvalue2 = 17 | statlabel3 = Fumble recoveries | statvalue3 = 1 | pfr = LiljGe20 }}
'''George Vincent Lilja''' (born March 3, 1958) is an American former professional football player who was an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines.
==Early life== [[File:2008-1226-Pasadena-008-RoseBowl.jpg|200px|thumb|left|Lilja and the 1980 Big Ten Champions appeared in the Rose Bowl.]] Lilja attended Carl Sandburg High School in Orland Park, Illinois, where he was both a football and baseball standout. As a senior, he received All-Chicago honors as a center and defensive tackle.
He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Michigan.<ref name=NYJYearbook/> Lilja wore #59 for four years as a varsity player from 1977-1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://141.211.39.65/allroster/fbsearch.htm |title=Bentley Historical Library -- -- U of M Football Rosters: Lilja |accessdate=2007-11-26 |date=2003-08-25 |publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928200732/http://141.211.39.65/allroster/fbsearch.htm |archivedate=2007-09-28 }}</ref> In 1976, he redshirted as a junior varsity player.
As a junior in 1979, he was named the starter at Center, for a team that played in the Gator Bowl.
As a senior in 1980, Lilja received numerous awards and honors, including being named the team's co-captain (with Anthony Carter), receiving the University's Myer Morton Award (given by the M Club of Chicago for the football player who shows the greatest development and most promise as a result of spring practice), and being named third-team All-American by the Associated Press. He was named second-team All-American and All-Big Ten by different sports news organizations.<ref name=NYJYearbook/> He started 24 straight games at center during his junior and senior seasons and is one of eleven centers to become an All-American for Michigan football.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bentley.umich.edu/athdept/football/fballam/aalilja.htm|title=University of Michigan Football All-American, 1980, Team Co-Captain, 1980: George Lilja|publisher=The Regents of the University of Michigan|accessdate=2007-11-26|date=2007-02-10}}</ref>
During the 1980 Purdue game, Lilja's jersey was ripped to the point where he could not go back out and play. When the equipment staff could not locate his backup jersey, they took the jersey of freshman center Doug James, put it on Lilja, and sent him back into the game. After the game, James got calls from friends expressing surprise that the freshman had gotten playing time in a big game.<ref>{{cite book|author= Brandstatter, Jim|title=Tales from Michigan Stadium|url= https://archive.org/details/talesfrommichiga0000bran|url-access= registration|publisher=Sports Publishing|year=2002|pages= [https://archive.org/details/talesfrommichiga0000bran/page/73 73]|isbn=1-59670-015-7}}</ref>
As the 1980 Big Ten Conference Champions, the team played in the 1981 Rose Bowl,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mgoblue.com/document_file/fbl-bowl-history-2003.pdf|title=Michigan's Bowl History|accessdate=2007-12-31|publisher=University of Michigan & Host Interactive|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080530181255/http://www.mgoblue.com/document_file/fbl-bowl-history-2003.pdf|archivedate=2008-05-30}}</ref> which marked the first bowl game victory for head coach Bo Schembechler.<ref name=PSASWTW>{{cite news|title=Woolfolk totes Wolverines: Butch: Biggest game? You bet|date=1981-01-04|publisher=Pacific Stars and Stripes}}</ref> It was also Lilja's last game for Michigan, which the Wolverines won 23–6, over Washington.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tournamentofroses.com/history/gamescores.asp |title=Pasadena Tournament of Roses: Past Game Scores |accessdate=2007-11-26 |year=2007 |publisher=Tournament of Roses |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071020041445/http://www.tournamentofroses.com/history/gamescores.asp |archivedate=2007-10-20 }}</ref> Teammate Brad Bates later recalled: "I was walking off the field with George Lilja, and he said, 'Let's turn around for a Kodak moment,' . . . 'You could see that big orange backdrop against the mountains. This was Bo's first bowl victory.".<ref>{{cite book|author=Cnockaert, Jim|title=Michigan: Where Have You Gone?|publisher=Sports Publishing|year=2004|pages=[https://archive.org/details/michiganwherehav0000cnoc/page/8 8–9]|isbn=1-58261-771-6|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/michiganwherehav0000cnoc/page/8}}</ref>
==Professional career== ===Los Angeles Rams=== Lilja was selected by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 1981 NFL draft. As a rookie, he suffered an ankle injury and spent the entire year on the injured reserve list.<ref name=NYJYearbook>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorkjets.com/team/all_time/player/464-george-lilja|title=George Lilja - #61 - T - Michigan - Profile|accessdate=2007-11-26|publisher=New York Jets |archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20071130034930/http://www.newyorkjets.com/team/all_time/player/464-george-lilja <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-11-30}}</ref> In 1982, he played in all nine games of the shortened strike season, mostly on special teams. He was waived in August 1983.
===New York Jets=== On September 27, 1983, he was signed by the New York Jets.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/09/28/sports/transactions-195384.html | title=Transactions | work=The New York Times | date=28 September 1983 | accessdate=July 3, 2018}}</ref> He played as a backup offensive tackle, before being released on November 15, 1984.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/16/sports/transactions-088899.html | title=Transactions | work=The New York Times | date=16 November 1984 | accessdate=July 3, 2018}}</ref>
===Cleveland Browns=== On November 21, 1984, he was signed as a free agent by the Cleveland Browns, to play under interim head coach Marty Schottenheimer.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1984/11/22/sports/transactions-101936.html | title=Transactions | work=The New York Times | date=22 November 1984 | accessdate=July 3, 2018}}</ref> He started in the last game against the Houston Oilers.
In 1985, he was named the starter at left guard over Robert Jackson.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1986/05/02/Veteran-guard-Robert-Jackson-lauded-by-Cleveland-Browns-owner/2083515390400/ | title=Veteran guard Robert Jackson, lauded by Cleveland Browns owner | accessdate=July 3, 2018}}</ref> He contributed to both Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack rushing for over 1,000 yards,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=CLE&yr=1985&lg=nfl |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060829004741/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=CLE&lg=nfl&yr=1985 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=2006-08-29 |title=1985 Cleveland Browns |accessdate=2010-03-19 |publisher=databaseSports.com }}</ref> becoming just the third running back tandem on the same team to achieve that feat in one regular season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/story.aspx?story_id=2272|title=Browns' 1,000-yard backs: Mack and Byner|accessdate=2010-03-19|publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame}}</ref>
In 1986, he was a backup playing mostly on special teams, on a team with a 12–4 record, that advanced to the American Football Conference championship game against the Denver Broncos in the 1986 NFL Playoffs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=CLE&yr=1986&lg=nfl |title=1986 Cleveland Browns |publisher=databaseSports.com |work=databaseFootball.com |accessdate=2007-11-26 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20071223011724/http://www.databasefootball.com/teams/teamyear.htm?tm=CLE&yr=1986&lg=nfl |archivedate=2007-12-23 }}</ref> Their playoff run included back-to-back overtime (the first being double overtime) home playoff games decided by 23-20 scores.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/boxscores/gamedata.htm?dy=3&mth=1&yr=1987&tm=CLE&lg=NFL |title=AFC Divisional Playoff (box score) |publisher=databaseSports.com |work=databaseFootball.com |accessdate=2007-11-26 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211074053/http://www.databasefootball.com/boxscores/gamedata.htm?dy=3&mth=1&yr=1987&tm=CLE&lg=NFL |archivedate=2007-02-11 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.databasefootball.com/boxscores/gamedata.htm?dy=11&mth=1&yr=1987&tm=CLE&lg=NFL |title=AFC Championship (box score) |publisher=databaseSports.com |work=databaseFootball.com |accessdate=2007-11-26 |url-status=usurped |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100219032756/http://databasefootball.com/boxscores/gamedata.htm?dy=11&mth=1&yr=1987&tm=CLE&lg=NFL |archivedate=2010-02-19 }}</ref> The latter game is known for The Drive.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.profootballhof.com/history/decades/1980s/the_drive.jsp|title=The Drive|publisher=Pro Football Hall of Fame|accessdate=2007-11-26}}</ref> He was released on September 7, 1987.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1987/09/07/Mondays-Sports-Transactions/4484557985600/ | title=Monday's Sports Transactions | accessdate=July 3, 2018}}</ref>
===Dallas Cowboys=== On October 14, 1987, he was signed as a free agent by the Dallas Cowboys to provide depth at center. In November, he began sharing snaps with starter Tom Rafferty, with Lilja playing on running downs and Rafferty replacing him in passing situations. In 1988, he was competing with Rafferty for the starting position, until suffering a broken left middle finger. He was released on September 27.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/09/28/The-Dallas-Cowboys-Tuesday-waived-seventh-year-center-George-Lilja/2105591422400/ | title=The Dallas Cowboys Tuesday waived seventh-year center George Lilja | accessdate=July 3, 2018}}</ref>
===Los Angeles Raiders=== In 1989, he was signed by the Los Angeles Raiders as a free agent. He was cut on July 22.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-07-23-sp-368-story.html | title=Wisniewski Signs Contract, Works Out With Raiders; Kelley and Lilja Released | website=Los Angeles Times | date=23 July 1989 | access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref>
===Atlanta Falcons=== In July 1989, he was signed by the Atlanta Falcons. He was released on September 4.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/09/05/sports/transactions-888289.html | title=Transactions | work=The New York Times | date=5 September 1989 | accessdate=July 3, 2018}}</ref> In his career he appeared in 54 games with 17 starts.
==Personal life== He is married to his wife Meg, and they have four children, Danielle, David, Bethany, and George III, and one granddaughter, Eloise.<ref name=GLWitFBOLt>{{cite web|url=http://www.connectionmagazine.org/2003_08/sp_george_lilja.htm |title=George Lilja: Where is the Former Browns Offensive Lineman today? |publisher=connectionmagazine.org |accessdate=2007-11-26 |author=Stefanovsky, Londa |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080905145524/http://www.connectionmagazine.org/2003_08/sp_george_lilja.htm |archivedate=2008-09-05 }}</ref> Lilja is not related to Ryan Lilja.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/printer/printer.ssf?/base/sports/1180860072294500.xml&coll=2|title=The Plain Dealer: Everything Cleveland|publisher=The Plain Dealer|accessdate=2007-11-26|date=2007-06-03|author=Tony}}{{dead link|date=October 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> Lilja's parents raised him in a Christian manner with his five brothers and two sisters.<ref name=GLWitFBOLt/>
Lilja has long been part of Christian athlete groups and writes and speaks about his Christian faith.<ref name=GLWitFBOLt/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thegoal.com/players/football/lilja_george/lilja_george.html|title=George Lilja: "Is there anything more important in life than playing football?"|publisher=thegoal.com|accessdate=2007-11-26}}</ref> He espouses the biblical quote:{{cquote|Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well - Matthew 6:33}}
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== * {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070209004514/http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=LILJAGEO01 George Lilja]}} @ {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20071024151649/http://www.databasefootball.com/ databaseFootball.com]}} {{Los Angeles Rams 1981 draft navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lilja, George}} Category:1958 births Category:Living people Category:Players of American football from Chicago Category:American football centers Category:Michigan Wolverines football players Category:Los Angeles Rams players Category:New York Jets players Category:Cleveland Browns players Category:Dallas Cowboys players