Vic Janowicz

 ( 1930 Births ) 

Victor Felix Janowicz (February 26, 1930 – February 27, 1996) was an American football halfback and baseball catcher whose promising National Football League (NFL) career was cut short in a automobile accident in southern California. In 1950, he was awarded the Heisman Trophy and selected as the UPI College Football Player of the Year while a member of the Ohio State Buckeyes team. He was the first Heisman Trophy winner to play major league baseball. Bo Jackson also achieved the feat 35 years later.

Janowicz was selected in the seventh round of the 1952 NFL draft and played professionally for the Washington Redskins in the 1954 and 1955 seasons. He was one of the few athletes in the post-World War II era to play in both the NFL and Major League Baseball, where he spent two seasons (1953-54) as a catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Janowicz was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1976.

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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.

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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."

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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 one year later.

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Tragic accident During training camp in 1956, Janowicz suffered a severe brain injury in a two-car crash that left him partially paralyzed on the left side and ultimately ended his career as a professional athlete.

After a 39-21 win over the Rams in an exhibition game at the Los Angeles Coliseum, Janowicz attended a victory celebration at the home of Redskins teammate Gene Brito near San Bernardino, approximately 90 miles from the site of the game. On his way back to the team training facility at Occidental College, Janowicz sustained severe brain trauma, lacerations and bruises when the car driven by 21-year-old student nurse Barbara Wagner swerved out of control and struck a utility pole. Teammate Al Dorow suffered a back injury in the accident. Both victims were taken to Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital for treatment and observation.

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Post-playing career Janowicz eventually made a full recovery from the mishap and became a broadcaster of Buckeyes 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.

He died in Columbus, Ohio, of cancer on February 27, 1996, a day after his 66th birthday. He is buried at Saint Joseph Cemetery in Lockbourne, Ohio.

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