John LoVetere
Encyclopedia
John Manning LoVetere is a former American football
defensive tackle who played seven seasons in the National Football League
for the Los Angeles Rams
and New York Giants
. He played college football
at Compton Junior College.Found article at Helmut Hut
John LoVetere is one of the most impressive men who ever played pro football. Unfortunately because he was not the self promoting type most people will never get to fully appreciate this quiet hero whose special traits transcend the game of football. If movies were real life John will always be a young Marlon Brando, John Wayne and Paul Newman rolled into one. A genuine strong silent type who only spoke up only when necessary John earned the respect of his teammates both on and off the field. The press made more colorful characters such as Sam Huff, Deacon Jones and Chuck Bednarik into larger than life football tough guys but in the locker room or on the field no one messed with big John. Although the press guide says he went to Compton College John actually entered pro football and the Los Angeles Rams directly from the military where he excelled on service teams. His fellow pro players regarded him as one of the strongest players in the league. He was one of the first football players who was a dedicated weight lifter spending countless hours in the military pumping iron to maximize his already powerful God given strength. He was one of the largest players in the league weighing close to 300 pounds which he sculptured into a "Mr. Universe" type body. His body type was unheard of for a player of that size in the 1960s. In addition to his strength and size John was always one of the fastest players on the field. Is there any wonder why the "owl wise" New York Giants traded their legendary defensive lineman Rosy Grier to the Rams straight up for the previously unsung Mr. LoVetere after the 1962 season? Sadly, a severe knee injury prevented John from reaching his full potential with the Giants and forced his early retirement from the game after the 1965 season. John has bravely struggled with his disabled leg since leaving football. With virtually no support from the NFL's draconian disability coverage for players from his era John has relied on his natural physical strength, strong constitution, and support of his devoted wife Debbie to offset his physical handicap and persevere in a subsequent career of various physically demanding jobs. John is now enjoying a well earned retirement in a quiet rural Tennessee town.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive tackle who played seven seasons in the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
for the Los Angeles Rams
St. Louis Rams
The St. Louis Rams are a professional American football team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are currently members of the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Rams have won three NFL Championships .The Rams began playing in 1936 in Cleveland,...
and New York Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Compton Junior College.Found article at Helmut Hut
John LoVetere is one of the most impressive men who ever played pro football. Unfortunately because he was not the self promoting type most people will never get to fully appreciate this quiet hero whose special traits transcend the game of football. If movies were real life John will always be a young Marlon Brando, John Wayne and Paul Newman rolled into one. A genuine strong silent type who only spoke up only when necessary John earned the respect of his teammates both on and off the field. The press made more colorful characters such as Sam Huff, Deacon Jones and Chuck Bednarik into larger than life football tough guys but in the locker room or on the field no one messed with big John. Although the press guide says he went to Compton College John actually entered pro football and the Los Angeles Rams directly from the military where he excelled on service teams. His fellow pro players regarded him as one of the strongest players in the league. He was one of the first football players who was a dedicated weight lifter spending countless hours in the military pumping iron to maximize his already powerful God given strength. He was one of the largest players in the league weighing close to 300 pounds which he sculptured into a "Mr. Universe" type body. His body type was unheard of for a player of that size in the 1960s. In addition to his strength and size John was always one of the fastest players on the field. Is there any wonder why the "owl wise" New York Giants traded their legendary defensive lineman Rosy Grier to the Rams straight up for the previously unsung Mr. LoVetere after the 1962 season? Sadly, a severe knee injury prevented John from reaching his full potential with the Giants and forced his early retirement from the game after the 1965 season. John has bravely struggled with his disabled leg since leaving football. With virtually no support from the NFL's draconian disability coverage for players from his era John has relied on his natural physical strength, strong constitution, and support of his devoted wife Debbie to offset his physical handicap and persevere in a subsequent career of various physically demanding jobs. John is now enjoying a well earned retirement in a quiet rural Tennessee town.