John Panelli

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]

John Panelli

Panelli on a 1950 Bowman football card
No. 33, 34
Position:	Linebacker Fullback
Personal information
Born:	(1926-05-07)May 7, 1926 Morristown, New Jersey, U.S.
Died:	March 2, 2012(2012-03-02) (aged 85) Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S.
Height:	5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:	200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school:	Morristown (Morristown, New Jersey) Cheshire Academy (Cheshire, Connecticut)
College:	Notre Dame
NFL draft:	1949: 2nd round, 12th pick
Career history
Detroit Lions (1949–1950) Chicago Cardinals (1951–1953)
Career highlights and awards
2× National champion (1946, 1947)
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards: 157 Rushing average: 2.9 Receptions: 4 Receiving yards: 27 Fumble recoveries: 6 Interceptions: 5 Stats at Pro Football Reference

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]