Tony Zuzzio

Anthony Joseph "Tony" Zuzzio (August 5, 1916 – April 7, 2002) was a professional football player for the Detroit Lions during the 1942 NFL season. He also played college football for Muhlenberg College in 1938 and 1939.

Tony Zuzzio
Zuzzio from The 1939 Ciarella
Born:August 5, 1916
Irvington, New Jersey
Died:April 7, 2002(2002-04-07) (aged 85)
Lawrence, Kansas
Career information
Position(s)Tackle, Guard
CollegeMuhlenberg
Career history
As player
1942Detroit Lions

Early years

Zuzzio was born in 1916 in Irvington, New Jersey.[1] His father, Charles Zuzzio, worked as a nickel polisher.[2] He attended Belleville High School in Belleville, New Jersey.[1][3]

Football player

Zuzzio attended Muhlenberg College in Allentown, Pennsylvania.[4] He played college football at Muhlenberg under head coach Doggie Julian as a tackle during the 1938 and 1939 seasons.[5][6][7]

In 1942, Zuzzio played professional football as a lineman for the Detroit Lions.[4] He appeared in two games for the Lions during the 1942 season,[8] before he was drafted into military service.[9] He was released by the Lions on September 30, 1942,[10]

Military service and later years

Zuzzio enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces on October 7, 1942.[11] He served throughout World War II and was discharged in 1946. He received the American Theater Ribbon (for service in the American Theater of Operations), Good Conduct Medal and a World War II Victory Medal.[1]

After the war, Zuzzio became a high school teacher and coach.[9]

In 1977, Zuzzio was inducted into the Belleville High School Hall of Fame.[1] From 1964 to 1966, he also worked as a scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.[9]

In April 2002, Zuzzio died at age 85 in Lawrence, Kansas.[12][13]

References
  1. "Zuzzio services". Lawrence Journal-World. April 10, 2002.
  2. Census entry for Charles Zuzzio. Son, Anthony Zuzzio, was age 13. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Year: 1930; Census Place: Belleville, Essex, New Jersey; Roll: 1327; Page: 20A; Enumeration District: 320; Image: 936.0; FHL microfilm: 2341062.
  3. Tony Zuzzio, Pro-Football-Reference.com. Accessed June 10, 2018.
  4. "Tony Zuzzio". DatabaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on June 1, 2012. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  5. "Mules Point for Holiday Victory Here". Reading Eagle. November 22, 1938. Retrieved April 1, 2012.
  6. "Muhlenberg Shows Way: Gains Verdict by 13-6 in Game With Drexel Combination". The New York Times. November 6, 1938.
  7. "Berks Lads Among 17 Mule Seniors". Reading Eagle. November 28, 1939.
  8. "Players-Tony Zuzzio". NFL.com. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  9. "Anthony Zuzzio (obituary)". Topeka Capital Journal. April 10, 2002. Retrieved March 28, 2012.
  10. "Grid Lions Drop Two, Rehire One". The Pittsburgh Press. September 30, 1942.
  11. Enlistment record for Anthony J. Zuzzio, born 1916. National Archives and Records Administration. U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946 [database on-line].
  12. "Anthony J. Zuzzio". The Morning Call (Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania). April 11, 2002.
  13. "Former Lions Guard Zuzzio Dies". Associated Press Archive. April 11, 2002.
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