During his 1964 rookie season, Kortas played in 14 games (5 starts) and was credited with 0.5 sacks.[1] He was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 17, 1965, in exchange for Terry Nofsinger.[7] He recorded 2 fumble recoveries and 2 sacks in 14 games (10 starts) in his first season with the franchise, before registering a career-high 7 sacks the following year. In the 1967 season, he started all 14 games as he was tied for the league lead in fumble return touchdowns (1), along with 3.5 sacks and 5 fumble return yards.[1] He played one more season with the Steelers, and was traded to the Chicago Bears two weeks before the start of the 1969 season, having been displaced as defensive tackle by new coach Chuck Noll in favor of Joe Greene.[1][8]
Kortas played just three games with the Bears,[1] before retiring from professional football in 1970.[2] He was inducted into Louisville's Athletics Hall of Fame in 1979.[3]
Personal life
Kortas was married to Judith Ann Kortas for 33 years until his death. Together, they had one daughter.[2] Kortas speculated in futures exchanges during his playing career and lost money speculating on hog futures after the 1965 season.[9] He resided in suburban Louisville, Kentucky, during his later years.[10]
Kortas died on October 15, 2022, at the Norton Brownsboro Hospital in Louisville. He was 80 years old.[2]