John Spirida

John Martin Spirida, Jr. (November 4, 1914 – April 16, 1966) was an American football end in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins.

John Spirida
Position:End
Personal information
Born:(1914-11-04)November 4, 1914
Bridgewater, Massachusetts
Died:April 16, 1966(1966-04-16) (aged 51)
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Bridgewater High School (MA)
College:St. Anselm
Career history

Biography

A native of Bridgewater, Massachusetts, Spirida attended Bridgewater High School, and played college football for Saint Anselm College from 1933 to 1936.[1] A fullback and kicker, Spirida was described as "a player's player," who "can do everything and do it well."[2][3]

Spirida began his professional football career in 1937 playing for the Wilmington Clippers alongside teammate Vince Lombardi.[4] In 1938, Spirida played for the Hazelton Redskins, a farm team of the Washington Redskins that was led by player-coach Ed Kahn.[1] Spirida was called up to the Washington club for the 1939 season, and joined Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Sammy Baugh under Hall of Fame head coach Ray Flaherty. Spirida saw action in nine games, and the team finished the season with an 8–2–1 record.[5] After his lone NFL campaign, Spirida played for the Paterson Panthers of the American Association in 1940.[1]

Spirida was also a star baseball player. A burly slugger who was "always a dangerous batter,"[6] he played several summers in the Cape Cod Baseball League, and was a member of two league championship clubs. From 1935 to 1937, he played for Barnstable, the league champion in 1937.[7][8][9] The following season, Spirida played for league champ Falmouth,[6][10] and returned in 1939 to Barnstable.[11][12] In 1938, he also played professionally for the Thomasville Orioles in the Georgia–Florida League, batting .280 over 30 games.

Spirida died in 1966 at age 51.

References
  1. "Johnny Spirida". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  2. "All-Opponent Team". The Cowl. Providence, RI. December 6, 1935. pp. 1, 5, 6.
  3. "Stubborn Saints Crushed by Powerful Eagle Eleven: Bob Curran Scintillates for Boston with Triple Touchdown Achievements; Spirida St. Anselm's Hero". The Heights. Chestnut Hill, MA. October 3, 1934. p. 4.
  4. "1937 Wilmington Clippers". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  5. "Johnny Spirida". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2020.
  6. "Cape Circuit Chatter". Hyannis Patriot. Hyannis, MA. July 14, 1938. p. 11.
  7. "Batteries For Barnstable". Hyannis Patriot. Hyannis, MA. July 11, 1935. p. 12.
  8. "Breaks Bat But Wins Ball Game". Falmouth Enterprise. Falmouth, MA. July 23, 1936. p. 9.
  9. "Falmouth Splits Two Weekend Games". Falmouth Enterprise. Falmouth, MA. August 3, 1937. p. 2.
  10. "Rain Cancels Sunday Game". Falmouth Enterprise. Falmouth, MA. July 26, 1938. p. 6.
  11. "Weekend Baseball". Falmouth Enterprise. Falmouth, MA. July 18, 1939. p. 7.
  12. "Harold Crocker Hurls Night Game". Falmouth Enterprise. Falmouth, MA. July 18, 1939. p. 17.
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