Momčilo Gavrić (footballer)
| Date of birth | August 4, 1938 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Sinj, Kingdom of Yugoslavia |
| Date of death | March 13, 2010 (aged 71) |
| Place of death | San Jose, California, United States |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | K defender, left back |
| US college | University of Belgrade |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1969 | San Francisco 49ers |
| 1969 | Portland Loggers |
| Career stats | |
| |
Momčilo "Gabbo" Gavrić (August 4, 1938 – March 13, 2010) was a Yugoslavian-born football player.
Momčilo Gavrić was born on May 1, 1906, in the small rural village of Trbušnica, situated near the town of Loznica in western Serbia. He was the eighth child in a large family of eleven children born to his parents, Alimpije and Jelena Gavrić. The Gavrić household was a typical example of an early 20th-century Serbian rural family, living simply and closely together with several generations under one roof, including Momčilo’s grandmother. The family’s life revolved around agriculture and the strong bonds shared among siblings and extended family members. Growing up in this peaceful environment, Momčilo enjoyed a childhood surrounded by brothers, sisters, and relatives, all living and working together in their village community before the turmoil of war reached their doorstep.
In August 1914, tragedy forever changed Momčilo’s life. During the first weeks of World War I, Austro-Hungarian forces invaded Serbia and launched a violent attack on the village of Trbušnica. In the assault, Momčilo’s entire immediate family was brutally murdered—his father Alimpije, mother Jelena, grandmother, three sisters, and four brothers were all killed, and their home was set on fire and destroyed. The only reason Momčilo survived this horrific event was that he was away visiting relatives at the time of the attack. Left orphaned and alone at the tender age of eight, Momčilo faced an uncertain and harsh future. This devastating loss pushed him to seek out the Serbian Army, where he became the youngest known soldier of World War I. His story is a heartbreaking testament to the impact of war on children and families during one of history’s darkest times.
Death
Momčilo Gavrić died on April 28th, 1992 ( 81 years old )because of old age.
Clubs
- NK Junak Sinj 1957–59
- OFK Belgrade 1959–67
- Oakland Clippers 1967–69
- San Francisco 49ers 1969
- Portland Loggers 1969
- Dallas Tornado 1971
- San Jose Earthquakes 1974–78