Athletes - John McNally

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	Athletes - John McNally

John Victor McNally (November 27, 1903 – November 28, 1985) was an American football player, inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Early life

A native of New Richmond, Wisconsin, McNally was an intelligent and unathletic youth who graduated high school at 14. He blossomed into an athlete while at St. Johns College, where he became the captain of the basketball team and a letterman in track, baseball, and football, all in his junior year.

"Johnny Blood"

With one year of college eligibility left, McNally and a friend decided to join a professional football team. While passing by a movie theater, McNally saw the title of the film Sand and Blood on the marquee. He turned to his friend and said, "That's it. You be Sand. I'll be Blood."

Using the alias "Johnny Blood" — an alias that became his nickname — McNally was able to play professional football without losing his college eligibility.

Career highlights

McNally played in the National Football League for 14 seasons, with five different teams. In his prime, McNally was 6'1" and 188 lbs., known for his speed, agility, and pass-catching ability.

He got his professional start in 1925 with the Milwaukee Badgers, where he became famous as the "Vagabond Halfback" for his off-the-field behavior and spontaneity.

Between 1929 and 1936 he played with the Green Bay Packers, with whom he won four championships.

In 1937, he moved on to the Pittsburgh Steelers (then called the Pirates), where on his first play he ran back a kick 92 yards for a touchdown. He ended his NFL career in 1939 as the head coach of the Pirates.

Later in life

Johnny's spontaneous and bizarre behavior didn't stop with his football career. He returned to St. Johns at 42 to finish his economics degree and write a textbook on the subject. He married in his mid-forties. Upon one occasion out of boredom he climbed to the top of a train, walked to the engineer's car, drop through the ceiling, and spent the rest of the trip entertaining the drivers.

McNally was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

Sources

Old Leather. Film by ESPN.

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