Card: Topps 2002 College All-American
Acquired: Canton Acquisition 2012

John Cappelletti played for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 1971-1973. Originally a defensive back, the coaches by his Sophomore season felt he was best suited to play runningback. From there John went on to have a storied career for Penn State, but at the same time his brother, Joey, was slowly losing his battle to Leukemia. As time was running out on Joey, John asked him if there was a wish he could grant for him. Joey asked John to score 4 touchdowns for him in the next game against West Virginia. John wasn’t sure he’d be able to do it, but in the end John granted his younger brother Joey his final wish. Cappelletti went on to win the Hesiman trophy in 1973, and had a remarkable cumulative 2,639 yards, 29 TDs, and a 5.1 YPC in  2 seasons by the time he graduated from Penn State that year. John also dedicated his Heisman to his brother Joey as well.

The Los Angeles Rams took him with the 11th overall pick of the 1974 draft where the Rams used him primarily as a short yardage back. He’d score a career high 6 TDs rushing in 1975, and 688 yards rushing in 1976. Cappelletti signed with the San Diego Chargers in 1980 where he finished his career in 1983.  In 1977 a made for TV movie called “Something for Joey” starring Marc Singer, was made based on John’s story. He currently lives in California.

G/Gs 105/52      Rush 824       Yds 2951       Avg   3.6        Td  24       Lg 46
Rec  135             Yds  1233             Avg  9.1           Td  4      Lg 37