Jack Christiansen

Jack LeRoy Christiansen (December 20, 1928 – June 29, 1986) was an American professional football player who later became a college and professional coach. Born in Sublette, he played in the National Football League for the Detroit Lions as a safety and return specialist from 1951 to 1958. He helped lead the Lions to three NFL championships, in 1952, 1953, and 1957, and was named a first-team All-NFL player in six of his eight seasons. He led the league in interceptions in 1953 and 1957 and in punt returns for touchdown in 1951, 1952, 1954, and 1956. His eight career punt returns for touchdowns stood as an NFL record until 1989 and remain the fourth best in league history.

After retiring as a player, Christiansen coached for 25 years, from 1959 to 1983. He served as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 1963 to 1967, compiling a 26–38–3 record, and as head coach at Stanford from 1972 to 1976, where he went 30–22–3. He concluded his career as an assistant coach with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1977, the Seattle Seahawks from 1978 to 1982, and the Atlanta Falcons in 1983. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970.