Poth High School -
Thomas "Tommy" Alvin Janik, longtime resident of Poth, Texas, passed away Saturday, November 21, 2009, at the age of 69. Tommy was born September 6, 1940, the son of Alvin Janik and Edna Flieller Janik. He graduated from Poth High School, Class of 1959, and was a retired professional football player. He played defense and punted for a year with Texas A&M University before transferring to Texas A&I University, where he played the following three years. He began his professional football career with the Denver Broncos, followed by being the Buffalo Bills back-up punter for four years, after which time he joined the New England Patriots, where he helped his team out-punt their opposition. Tommy had 25 interceptions in the AFL, tying the league lead with ten at Buffalo in 1967, along with running back six for touchdowns. Tommy once intercepted a pass from Joe Namath and ran it back 100 yards for a touchdown. Tommy retired in 1970, and owned Shipley's Donuts in Bryan, Texas, from 1970-1981.