Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 21, 2026

John Rapacz

John Joseph Rapacz was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants. He also played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) for the Chicago Rockets/Hornets. Rapacz played college football and baseball at the University of Oklahoma, where he was an All-American in football, and was drafted in the third round of the 1947 NFL draft by the Boston Yanks. After retiring from the NFL Rapacz went on to become a Michigan High School Hall of Fame football coach for Hackett Catholic Central High School.

Last revised
Jun 21, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
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Citations
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Source
John Rapacz
Rapacz on a 1952 Bowman football card
No. 20, 53
PositionsCenter, linebacker
Personal information
Born(1924-04-25)April 25, 1924
Rosedale, Ohio, U.S.
DiedJanuary 2, 1991(1991-01-02) (aged 66)
Midwest City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)
Listed weight252 lb (114 kg)
Career information
High schoolKalamazoo Central (Kalamazoo, Michigan)
College
NFL draft1947: 3rd round, 15th overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL/AAFC statistics
Games played76
Games started51
Fumble recoveries3
Stats at Pro Football Reference

John Joseph Rapacz (April 25, 1924 – January 2, 1991) was an American football offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants. He also played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) for the Chicago Rockets/Hornets. Rapacz played college football and baseball at the University of Oklahoma, where he was an All-American in football, and was drafted in the third round of the 1947 NFL draft by the Boston Yanks.1 After retiring from the NFL Rapacz went on to become a Michigan High School Hall of Fame football coach for Hackett Catholic Central High School.

References

References

  1. "2022 Oklahoma Sooners Baseball Media Guide" (PDF). University of Oklahoma athletics. February 17, 2022. p. 105. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
External links

In 1954 John was traded to the Baltimore Colts. He retired at the end of the 1955 season. He returned to college, finished his degree, became a teacher and Football coach at Hackett Catholic High School.