Joe Sabasteanski Explained

Position:Guard/Linebacker/Center
Birth Date:27 March 1921
Birth Place:Portland, Maine
Draftyear:1943
Draftround:11
Draftpick:94
High School:Portland (ME)
College:Fordham
Pastteams:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:34
Statlabel2:Interceptions
Statvalue2:3
Pfr:S/SabaJo20

Joseph Edward Sabasteanski (February 24, 1921 – July 1, 1972) was an American professional football player who was an offensive lineman and linebacker in the National Football League (NFL).

College career

Sabasteanski was a member of the football and track and field teams while at Fordham University. He replaced Lou DeFilippo as the Rams' starting center and started in the team's 1942 Sugar Bowl victory over Missouri. As a senior, Sabasteanski was named to the "Eastern Eleven" and an honorable mention All-American by the Associated Press and played in the 1943 East–West Shrine Bowl.[1]

Sabasteanski competed in the 16 pound hammer throw on the track and field team. He won the event at the Metropolitan Intercollegiate Track and Field Championships in 1941 and 1942.[2] He gave up his senior track and field season to enter the United States Marine Corps during World War II.[3]

Professional career

Sabasteanski was selected by the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 11th round of the 1943 NFL draft.[4] He signed with the Boston Yanks in January 1946 after being discharged from the Marines.[5] [6] He played two seasons with the Yanks and another with the team after they relocated and became the New York Bulldogs.[7] [8]

Coaching career and later life

Sabasteanski returned to Fordham as an offensive line coach in 1951.[9] He joined the coaching staff at Adelphi University in 1952 and was the Panthers' head coach in 1953, compiling a record of 4-3-1 in the final season before the football program was discontinued.[10]

Sabasteanski died on July 1, 1972. He was posthumously inducted into the Fordham Athletics Hall of Fame in 1988 and the Maine Sports Hall of Fame in 1990.[11]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: FORDHAM PLAYERS NAMED. The New York Times. December 1, 1942. May 25, 2020.
  2. Web site: Fordham Hammer Throwers First as Metropolitan College Track Meet Starts. Arthur. Daley. The New York Times. May 10, 1941. May 25, 2020.
  3. Web site: Roll of Honor: Class of '43. The Fordham Ram. January 22, 1943. May 25, 2020.
  4. Web site: The best all-time NFL Draft picks from each state. Kevin. Askeland. MaxPreps.com. April 21, 2010. May 25, 2020.
  5. Web site: Boston Gets Sabasteanski. The New York Times. January 27, 1946. May 25, 2020.
  6. Web site: What Happened to The All Star Team of 1943?. GrantCountyHistory.org. May 25, 2020.
  7. Web site: Joe Sabasteanski Stats. Pro-Football-Reference.com. May 25, 2020.
  8. Web site: The Probable Line-Ups. The New York Times. September 22, 1949. May 25, 2020.
  9. Web site: Sabasteanski to Aid Fordham. The New York Times. April 6, 1951. May 25, 2020.
  10. Web site: ADELPHI COLLEGE DROPS FOOTBALL. The New York Times. January 30, 1954. May 25, 2020.
  11. Web site: Seven join Maine Sports Hall of Fame. Bangor Daily News. June 4, 1990. May 25, 2020.