[1] Bratkowski was an All-American playing college football with the Georgia Bulldogs, and later was an assistant coach in the NFL for over two decades.

[2] Born and raised in Westville, Illinois, Bratkowski played high school football at Schlarman Academy in Danville and graduated in 1949.

The nickname by which he commonly went had its origins in his boyhood years, when he frequently wore a baseball jersey emblazoned with the name of Major Leaguer Zeke Bonura across the front.

[3] Bratkowski came to national prominence in his sophomore season at the University of Georgia in Athens in 1951,[4] and was twice the SEC passing leader under head coach Wally Butts.

Bratkowski was considered one of college football's greatest quarterbacks of his day and was the NCAA's all-time leading passer until 1961.

[9] After George Blanda was lost for the season with a separated shoulder in mid-November,[10] Bratkowski entered the game and threw three more interceptions in the loss.

[7][17][18] In Green Bay, Bratkowski was nicknamed "Uncle Zekie", and became an ideal backup and spot starter during the Lombardi championship era.

After his playing career, Bratkowski became quarterback coach/offensive coordinator for Chicago, Baltimore / Indianapolis, Philadelphia, and New York Jets.