| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1921-03-26)March 26, 1921 Modesto, California, U.S. |
| Died | November 13, 2015(2015-11-13) (aged 94) |
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Weight | 190 lb (86 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Modesto (CA) |
| College | Modesto Junior College (?–1941) Saint Mary's University (1940–1942) College of the Pacific (1943) |
| Awards and highlights | |
| |
John B. Podesto, nicknamedPresto Podesto from Modesto (March 26, 1921 – November 13, 2015) was an Americanfootballquarterback andhalfback who played for theSt. Mary's Gaels.[1][2] He was drafted in the first round (10th overall) in the1944 NFL draft by thePittsburgh Steelers but did not play for them. He later was signed by theChicago Bears but did not play with them either.
Podesto was born on March 26, 1921, inModesto, California, to Giovannia and Maria Podesto. He was the youngest of nine children.[3] He attended Modesto High School andModesto Junior College before continuing his education atSaint Mary's University andCollege of the Pacific. He excelled at baseball and football while at Modesto, Saint Mary's, and College of the Pacific. He played quarterback and halfback when he was in football.[4] In 1943, under coachAmos Alonzo Stagg, Podesto was named All-American while at Pacific.[3] While playing from 1941 to 1943, and from 1944 to 1945, Podesto entered the Marine Corps and achieved the rank of captain while inWorld War II.[5][3]
Podesto was drafted with the 10th pick in the1944 NFL draft by thePittsburgh Steelers.[6] He was serving in the marines from 1944 to 1945 so he could not play with them. In 1946, he signed with the team.[7][8] However, Podesto did not play with the Steelers. The next season he signed with theChicago Bears but did not play with them, either.
After Podesto's sports career, he was a successful business owner.[9] He worked with the Modesto Tallow Company for over 50 years.[3] He died on November 13, 2015, at the age of 94.[10] At the time of his death he had 5 children, 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.[3]
