John Rapacz

John Joseph Rapacz was born on April 25, 1924, in Rosedale, Ohio, according to Pro Football Reference (PFR), and played at Kalamazoo Central High School in Michigan. He played at Western Michigan and Oklahoma. PFR lists him as the Boston Yanks' third-round pick, 15th overall, in 1947. He played seven pro seasons at center and linebacker: the AAFC's Chicago Rockets (1948) and Chicago Hornets (1949), then the New York Giants (1950–1954). PFR shows 76 games and 51 starts (54 and 41 with the Giants, 22 and 10 in the AAFC) and three fumble recoveries. His honors are second-team All-AAFC in 1949, first-team NY Daily News All-Pro and second-team UPI in 1950, and second-team UPI in 1951. PFR shows no Pro Bowls. Wikipedia's Buddy Burris article says Bud Wilkinson accused an AAFC scout in 1948 of trying to sign him. He died on January 2, 1991, in Midwest City, Oklahoma. Name note: OU's list spells him "John Repacz." PFR and Wikipedia both spell it Rapacz, so this bio uses Rapacz. The Daily Oklahoman wrote on December 20, 1946 (NewsBank page 28): "CENTERS—John Rapacz, Pete Tillman, Charles Dowell, Ray Pearcy."