Hall of Fame
Randy Bielski, an All-American safety for the Tigers in the late 70’s, was the first Tiger football player ever drafted by a NFL team. Although he set records for his play as a defensive back he was drafted as a kicker. died suddenly this past Friday while on vacation with his family at their Ocean City beach home. The Lutherville resident was 67-years-old.
At Dulaney High School Randy was a running back and kicker. When he arrived at Towson head coach Phil Albert moved him to free safety but he retained his position as a kicker. He became a starter in his sophomore year. For the ensuing three seasons Towson records tumbled.
Randy left Towson as the Tigers’ all-time leader in tackles (288), scoring (169) and interceptions (13). He still holds the program’s single game record of 24 tackles he set 47 years ago in a game against Ithaca when the Bombers ran the ball 71 times. That mark ties for the oldest defensive record in Tiger Football history. He accomplished all this in just three years of varsity football. He was a two-time All-American (1st team Kodak, 2nd team Associated Press). In 1980 he became the first Tiger to be drafted by the NFL when the Baltimore Colts selected him as a placekicker in the 12th round (311th overall).
Randy was eventually let go by the Colts but not before hitting a field goal in a preseason game. However, before launching his successful business career he competed in the 1981 FIBT World bobsledding championships in Cortina, Italy, on United States No. 1 sled. During the third heat the sled overturned at the final banked curve. The driver suffered a fatal injury, ending the group’s bid for a medal.
Once back home Randy, along with his brother, Ricky, embarked on a successful career as restauranteurs. With several other partners the group opened three Charles Village Pubs with the most notable located on West Pennsylvania Avenue in Towson. After a pizzeria and 11 Bagel Works stores the brothers purchased Ocean Pride Seafood Restaurant in 2004, where they once held part-time jobs steaming crabs while attending school. The Lutherville establishment became one of the premier restaurants for seafood and Maryland steamed crabs in the greater Baltimore metropolitan area.
Randy passed away August 9, 2024. He was 67-years-old.
