American International College

Tom Rychlec suited up on the gridiron for AIC in the mid-1950s and served as team captain his senior season, 1956. An All-American receiver as a senior, Rychlec caught 40 balls that season and finished with 88 receptions over his career. In 1969, Rychlec was named to the AIC All-Time Football Team and following his senior season was drafted in the 10th round by the NFL’s Detroit Lions.
 
Over a six-year professional career, Rychlec played for the Lions, Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos. His best season as a pro came in 1960 when he caught 45 passes for 590 yards in Buffalo, finishing ninth in the fledgling American Football League in receptions. The following season Rychlec caught 33 passes for 405 yards. He later played with future presidential hopeful Jack Kemp in Buffalo and, following his NFL career, played semi-professionally for the Hartford Charter Oaks and the Hartford Knights.