Joe Vetrano Explained

Joe Vetrano
Number:92, 82
Position:Halfback
Defensive back
Kicker
Birth Date:15 October 1918
Birth Place:Neptune, New Jersey, U.S.
Death Place:Berkeley, California, U.S.
Height Ft:5
Height In:9
Weight Lbs:170
High School:Neptune (NJ)
College:Southern Mississippi
Pastteams:
Pastcoaching:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:53
Statlabel2:Starts
Statvalue2:5
Statlabel3:Touchdowns
Statvalue3:2
Statlabel4:Field goals
Statvalue4:16 for 34 (45.7%)
Statlabel5:Longest field goal
Statvalue5:47
Statlabel6:Points scored
Statvalue6:247
Pfr:V/VetrJo20

Joseph George Vetrano (October 15, 1918 – May 10, 1995) was an American football Halfback and placekicker who played four seasons with the San Francisco 49ers of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). He played college football at the University of Southern Mississippi and attended Neptune High School in Neptune Township, New Jersey.[1]

College career

Vetrano played for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles from 1940 to 1942. He was inducted into the Southern Miss Golden Eagles M–Club Alumni Association Sports Hall of Fame on February 20, 1965.[2] [3]

Professional career

Vetrano signed with the AAFC's San Francisco 49ers after serving in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and played for the 49ers from 1946 to 1949.[4] He was nicknamed "The Little Toe", which was later shortened to "The Toe", during his pro career and recorded an AAFC record 108 extra points. On one extra point attempt, holder Frankie Albert fumbled the snap and Vetrano scored the point on a drop kick.[5] He told a story of mistakenly being sent in to kick on third down and ending up scoring a touchdown.[6]

Coaching career

Vetrano was an assistant coach for the San Francisco 49ers from 1953 to 1956.[7] He also served as a chief scout for the 49ers. He helped the backfield as an assistant coach for the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in 1967. Vetrano later coached high school football in New Jersey.

Death

Vetrano died of heart failure in Berkeley, California on May 10, 1995.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: JOE VETRANO . profootballarchives.com . April 20, 2015.
  2. Web site: JOE VETRANO . dead . cstv.com . April 22, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150422155606/http://grfx.cstv.com/photos/schools/smis/genrel/auto_pdf/2011-12/misc_non_event/joe-vetrano.pdf . April 22, 2015.
  3. Web site: Hall of Fame Members . dead . southernmiss.com . April 22, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150422164915/http://www.southernmiss.com/m-club/alltimehof.html . April 22, 2015.
  4. Web site: Joe Vetrano . dead . fanbase.com . April 22, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150422161645/http://www.fanbase.com/joe-vetrano/ . April 22, 2015.
  5. News: Chapin, Dwight . May 12, 1995 . Joe Vetrano, 49ers' first kicker, dies . . dead . April 22, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150422160357/http://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/Joe-Vetrano-49ers-first-kicker-dies-3147098.php . April 22, 2015.
  6. https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1692112/m1/#track/7 Joe "The Toe" Vetrano, Pop Chronicles Interviews #161
  7. Web site: Joe Vetrano . dead . strongright.com . April 22, 2015 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150422161324/http://www.strongright.com/joe-vetrano-300577-36971.php . April 22, 2015.