Thomas Gotkowski, 32, of Tinley Park, Illinois, Dies of a Heart Attack

Captain Gotkowski passed away unexpectedly while responding to an EMS call. He had served with the Tinley Park, Illinois fire department as a volunteer firefighter for 25 years prior.

On Friday, Ben Davis junior quarterback Thomas Gotkowski committed to Miami (Ohio). With Ball State, Austin Peay and Illinois State expressing interest, Gotkowski decided on Miami (Ohio).

Early Life and Education

Thomas was raised in Savannah where her family resided in segregated housing. As a child she was taught piano and violin; eventually becoming an expert typist with one of Savannah’s post offices.

She used shapes and colors in her paintings to convey racial tension of the time, believing she could create a new world through art.

Thomas has become a regular guest at the Bohemian Grove, spending thousands of dollars on private yacht vacations. He has received expensive gifts from Harlan Crow, a Texas billionaire known for collecting Nazi memorabilia; these include island-hopping trips and tuition payments for Thomas’s nephew enrolled at university. Thomas has also benefitted from other members’ generosity – oil baron and GOP donor Wayne Huizenga being just one such individual who have showered Thomas with generous support.

Professional Career

Thomas Gokowski was an NFL placekicker who competed for 15 seasons. Twice named to the first-team All-Pro squads and second only to Dan Marino’s career points total with 623 total, Gokowski holds second-place as an all-time scorer.

At 70 field goals scored during his career, he holds the Conference USA record and earned two All-Conference USA selections.

Ben Davis quarterback Thomas Gotkowski announced his commitment to Miami of Ohio Friday morning shortly after Fishers running back Khobie Martin signed with them, in what marked an impressive pair of signings by Central Indiana high school players. Both are among Central Indiana’s premier returning high school football players. By halftime of Friday’s Giants game vs. Fishers he had already thrown three touchdown passes and run one touchdown, equalling his single game passing touchdown record from last season when leading them to an undefeated season and class 6A state title win!

Achievement and Honors

Gotkowski excelled as a four-year letterman in tennis at Cartersville High School and twice was team MVP. Additionally, he served on the Academic Honor Roll and took part in Relay for Life; additionally, he became a member of National Honor Society as class treasurer.

Gotkowski, a Miami of Ohio signee, completed 60.4% of his passes for 2,341 yards and 24 touchdowns as a junior quarterback and also excelled on special teams.

Captain Thomas G. Gotkowski of Tinley Park Volunteer Fire Department died unexpectedly of a heart attack while responding to an emergency call, on October 1, 2000. This performance earned him two interceptions for his team and one rushing touchdown, earning him most valuable player honors at that game and unanimous selection as Indiana High School Football Offensive Player of the Week. He received unanimous praise.

Personal Life

Miami of Ohio commit Ben Gotkowski has led the Giants to an undefeated start this season by completing 12-17 passes for 284 yards and five touchdowns on 12-17 attempts for 284, as he earned Indiana Minority Coaches Association Player of Week 3 honors. Gotkowski connected with receivers Zane Skibinski and Malik Williams for three touchdown passes while running one himself and throwing two interceptions back at defensive backs Toreeq Oyesigi and Zane Zackery.

Captain Thomas G. Gotkowski of the Tinley Park Volunteer Fire Department died unexpectedly of a heart attack while attending an EMS call on October 1, 2000. A veteran of 25 years with the department, he is survived by his widow and three children and laid to rest at St. Joseph Cemetery in Tinley Park.