Joseph M. Manzo (February 3, 1917 – October 15, 2006) was an American football player.

Joseph Manzo
No. 46
Position:Tackle
Personal information
Born:(1917-02-03)February 3, 1917
Medford, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died:October 15, 2006(2006-10-15) (aged 89)
Medford, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Medford
College:Boston College
NFL draft:1941 / Round: 8 / Pick: 65
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games played:3
Player stats at PFR

Early years edit

A native of Medford, Massachusetts, Manzo attended Medford High School and St. John's Preparatory School in Danvers.[1]

Boston College edit

He played college football for Boston College.[2] He was a member the undefeated 1940 Boston College Eagles football team that claims a national championship. As a reward for Manzo's consistency and reliability during the 1940 season, head coach Frank Leahy selected Manzo as a co-captain for the 1941 Sugar Bowl in which Boston College defeated Tennessee.[3][4]

Professional football and military service edit

He was selected by the Detroit Lions with the 65th pick in the 1941 NFL Draft, but he was drafted into the Army before having a chance to play for the Lions. He served two years as part of the North African campaign in World War II.[1] After the war, he joined the Lions for the 1945 season. He appeared in three NFL games for the Lions.[2]

Later years edit

After retiring from football, Manzo worked as a salesman for NP Liquors. He was inducted in 1982 into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame. He died in 2006 at age 89.[1]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c "Joseph Manzo, at 89; was mentor to Andover golfers". The Boston Globe. October 20, 2006 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. ^ a b "Joseph Manzo". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
  3. ^ "Neighbors Honor Tocz and Manzo". The Boston Globe. January 13, 1941 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Leahy Appoints Manzo B.C. Bowl Co-Captain". The Boston Globe. December 28, 1940. p. 8 – via Newspapers.com.