Vic Janowicz

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Victor Felix Janowicz (February 26, 1930 – February 27, 1996) was an American football halfback and baseball catcher. He won the Heisman Trophy and was selected as the UPI College Football Player of the Year in 1950 while playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes. He was selected in the seventh round of the 1952 NFL draft and played professionally for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL) in 1954 and 1955. He was one of the few athletes in the post-World War II era to play in both the NFL and Major League Baseball, playing as a catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1953 and 1954. Janowicz was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976.

Early life

Janowicz was born and raised in Elyria, Ohio as son of Polish immigrants. He went to Holy Cross Elementary School and graduated from Elyria High School. The stretch of Seventh Street which runs along the south side of Elyria High is named Vic Janowicz Drive in his honor. In addition, a life-size painting of Janowicz hangs in the lobby of the school. Additionally, the Little League Baseball field located on Wittenburg Ave in Elyria is named Vic Janowicz Park.

College career

Janowicz played college football at Ohio State University. A tailback in the single wing, he won the Heisman Trophy in 1950 as a junior. Woody Hayes, who coached Janowicz's senior year, said of him, "He was not only a great runner, but also passed, was a placekicker and punter, played safety on defense and was an outstanding blocker. Janowicz epitomized the 'triple-threat' football player."[1]

Professional career

After college, Janowicz passed up offers to play professional football in order to pursue a baseball career. He reached the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but hit only .214 over two seasons as a bench player. He returned to football late in the 1954 season with the Washington Redskins, and was their starting halfback in 1955. During training camp in 1956, he suffered a serious brain injury in an automobile accident that left him partially paralyzed and ended his athletic career.

Post-playing career

Janowicz eventually made a full recovery and became a broadcaster of Buckeye football games. Later he worked as an account executive at a Columbus manufacturing firm and, from 1986, as an administrative assistant to the state auditor.

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File:St. Joseph Cemetery (Lockbourne, Ohio) - Vic Janowicz grave.jpg
Janowicz's grave at St. Joseph Cemetery (Lockbourne, Ohio)

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He died in Columbus, Ohio, of cancer on February 27, 1996, a day after his 66th birthday.

References

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External links

  • [[[:Template:College Football HoF/url]] College Football Hall of Fame profile]

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