John Panelli Explained

John Panelli
Birth Date:7 May 1926
Birth Place:Morristown, New Jersey, U.S.
Death Place:Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S.
Number:33, 34
Position1:Fullback, linebacker
Height Ft:5
Height In:11
Weight Lb:200
College:Notre Dame
Nfldraftedyear:1949
Nfldraftedround:2
Nfldraftedpick:12
Playing Years1:1949–1950
Playing Team1:Detroit Lions
Playing Years2:1951–1953
Playing Team2:Chicago Cardinals
Career Highlights:
Databasefootball:PANELJOH01

John Rocco "Bulldog" Panelli (May 7, 1926 – March 2, 2012)[1] was an American football player. He played college football at the University of Notre Dame. He went on to play two seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions, and another three for the Chicago Cardinals.[2]

Born and raised in Morristown, New Jersey, Panelli starred at Morristown High School, earning all-state honors as a student and a nomination by The Star-Ledger decades after his graduation for inclusion on its All-Century team.[3]

Panelli died after a sudden illness on March 2, 2012. He was 85.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: John Panelli - Man of Action .
  2. News: Former Lions player John Panelli dead at 85. ABC 7. March 5, 2012. dead. https://archive.today/20130210005744/http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/sports/football/lions/former-lions-player-john-panelli-dead-at-85. February 10, 2013.
  3. via Associated Press. "John Panelli, standout at Morristown High, Notre Dame and NFL, dies at 85", NJ.com, March 4, 2012. Accessed March 15, 2018. "Ex-Notre Dame running back and NFL player John Panelli, a standout fullback at Morristown High School in the 1940s, has died.... Panelli, an All-State selection at Morristown High and a nominee of The Star-Ledger’s New Jersey High School All-Century team, went on to play fullback and linebacker for Notre Dame’s 1946 and 1947 national championship teams, averaging 7.5 yards a carry his senior year."
  4. News: Notre Dame backfield wizard John Panelli dies. The Globe and Mail. March 5, 2012.