:Johnny Roepke
{{Short description|American football player (1905–1962)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Johnny Roepke
| image = File:Johnny Roepke.png
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption = Roepke pictured in The Mansfield News, 1927
| number = 6
| position = Halfback
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1905|12|28}}
| birth_place = Jersey City, New Jersey, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1962|2|26|1905|12|28}}
| death_place = Passaic, New Jersey, U.S.
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 11
| weight_lbs = 175
| high_school = William L. Dickinson
(Jersey City, New Jersey)
| college = Penn State
| pastteams =
- Frankford Yellow Jackets ({{NFL Year|1928}})
- Atlantic City Tornadoes (1929)
- Clifton Heights Orange & Black (1929)
- Upper Darby Greenbacks (1930–1931)
- Paterson Night Hawks (1932)
| highlights =
- Third-team All-American (1927)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 10
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 3
| statlabel3 = Touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 1
| pfr = RoepJo20
}}
John Peter Roepke (December 28, 1905 – February 26, 1962) was an American football halfback who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Frankford Yellow Jackets as well as four seasons in minor leagues with the Atlantic City Tornadoes, Clifton Heights Orange & Black, Upper Darby Greenbacks, and Paterson Night Hawks. A native of New Jersey, he attended Penn State University, playing football, baseball, and basketball before graduating in 1928. He was selected to the College Football All-America Team following his senior season of 1927. Roepke also briefly played professional baseball for the Scranton Miners in 1928.
Early life
Roepke was born on December 28, 1905, in Jersey City, New Jersey.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RoepJo20.htm|title=Johnny Roepke Stats|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} He attended William L. Dickinson High School there, playing football, baseball, and basketball.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86615835/daily-news/|newspaper=Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 12, 1926|title=Untitled}} {{Open access}} Following his third season of high school, where he was named all state as a halfback, Roepke was elected team captain for his senior year of 1923.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86615761/the-record/|newspaper=The Record|date=September 4, 1923|title=Roepe Is Captain|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}
Shortly before his last sports game with the high school, the state championship baseball game against Plainfield High School on June 23, 1924, Roepke announced that he would attend Penn State University. As his team's pitcher, he threw a no-hitter versus Plainfield, only letting two people get to a base through a walk.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86671086/the-courier-news/|newspaper=The Courier News|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 24, 1924|title=Roepke Of Dickinson Holds P. H. S. Hitless And Runless}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86615576/the-courier-news/|newspaper=The Courier News|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 24, 1924|title=Joe's Column|author=Gallagher, Joseph A.}} {{Open access}}
College career
During his freshman year of 1924, Roepke did not see much action for the Penn State athletic teams. As a sophomore in 1925, he earned a varsity letter and got his first action as a football player. After their game against West Virginia, Roepke was given drills to replace Bas Gray as team punter. He also was given the starting left halfback position for their season finale against Pittsburgh, replacing Bill Pritchard.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86628447/the-wilkes-barre-record/|newspaper=The Wilkes-Barre Record|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 21, 1925|title=Penn State Has New Punter}} {{Open access}}
Roepke was described by The Wilkes-Barre Record as a "good punter, the best forward passer on the squad and a shifty man with the ball [which] makes him a triple threat player." With Roepke starting at halfback during the season finale, Penn State lost 7–23 before 50,000 fans. The Penn State team ended the year with a record of 4–4–1.{{cite web|title=1925 Penn State Nittany Lions Schedule and Results|publisher=Sports Reference LLC|work=SR/College Football|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/penn-state/1925-schedule.html}}
In basketball, Roepke earned a starting position for the 1925–26 team, replacing Mike Hamas, who retired due to injury. He played the forward position.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86628627/alton-evening-telegraph/|newspaper=Alton Evening Telegraph|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 13, 1927|title=John Roepke of Jersey City, grid captain and halfback, basketball forward and baseball pitcher}} {{Open access}}
Roepke was injured playing football during their game against Lebanon Valley on October 2, 1926, forcing him to miss their games against Marietta College, Notre Dame, Syracuse, and George Washington.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86616158/the-daily-news/|newspaper=The Daily News|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 11, 1926|title=Absence of Roepke Leaves Nittany Lions Without a Punter}} {{Open access}} It left the team without a punter, as he was "the best kicking regular on the squad." His injury required an operation, and sidelined him for "at least a month."{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86616130/harrisburg-telegraph/|newspaper=Harrisburg Telegraph|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 14, 1926|title=Penn State Is Getting Better}} {{Open access}} "Bus" Harrington was shifted to left halfback as a replacement for Roepke. He returned for their game against Bucknell, where he scored three of nine points, contributing to the other six, and helped shut them out 9–0.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86628395/pittsburgh-daily-post/|newspaper=Pittsburgh Daily Post|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 14, 1926|title=Roepke Star As Penn State Is Victorious Over Bucknell}} {{Open access}}
Following the season finale, a loss against Pittsburgh, Roepke was mentioned on several all-Eastern teams for his performance, as well as earned the team captain position for his senior season of 1927.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86628573/hawaii-tribune-herald/|newspaper=Hawaii Tribune-Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 21, 1927|title=Penn State Team is Headed by Punt King}} {{Open access}}
By the end of week two in 1927, Roepke had already scored 36 points and was the leader in the eastern United States.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86632033/the-bridgeport-telegram/|newspaper=The Bridgeport Telegram|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 3, 1927|title=Penn Captain Leads Scorers On Eastern Grid}} {{Open access}} He scored eight against Lebanon Valley in week one, and "ran wild" versus Gettysburg the following week, scoring 28 out of his team's 34 points. Against Syracuse during week five, Roepke kicked the game-winning field goal in the fourth quarter to win 9–6.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86615425/the-morning-call/|newspaper=The Morning Call|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 23, 1927|title=Penn State Stages Uphill Battle To Whip Syracuse, 9-6}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86632060/sunday-news/|newspaper=Sunday News|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 23, 1927|title=Captain Roepke Leads Statesman In 9-6 Victory}} {{Open access}} It was Penn State's first ever win in their rivalry with Syracuse. By mid-November, Roepke was "considered by many as an outstanding candidate for the all-America team," according to the Ohio News Journal.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86632013/news-journal/|newspaper=News Journal|date=November 11, 1927|title=All-American|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}
By November 21, Roepke was third in the eastern United States in scoring with 89 points, only behind Bob Nork of Georgetown and Myles Lane of Dartmouth.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86615656/wilkes-barre-times-leader-the-evening/|newspaper=Wilkes-Barre Times Leader|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 21, 1927|title=Roepke, Penn State Player, Is Real Star}} {{Open access}} He finished the season ranked fourth in the eastern U.S., after dropping one spot to Jack Conner.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86615484/the-tribune/|newspaper=The Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=November 28, 1927|title=Nork Runner-Up Among Scorers}} {{Open access}} He made a total of 12 touchdowns, one field goal, and 14 extra points, earning a third-team All-America selection by Walter Eckersall at the end of the season.{{cite news|title=Three Big Ten Players Are Retained By Eckersall On All-America Eleven|newspaper=Detroit Free Press|date=December 11, 1927|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/5216069/eckersalls_allamerican_elevens/|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}
Professional career
=Baseball=
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name = Johnny Roepke
| image =
| image_size =
| caption =
| team =
| number =
| position = Pitcher
| bats = Right
| throws = Right
| debutleague = Professional baseball
| debutdate = June 13
| debutyear = 1928
| debutteam = Scranton Miners
| finaldate = June 13
| finalyear = 1928
| finalteam = Scranton Miners
| statyear =
| statleague =
| stat1label =
| stat1value =
| teams =
- Scranton Miners (1928)
| awards =
}}
Following his graduation from Penn State, Roepke began a professional baseball career in the New York–Pennsylvania League with the Scranton Miners as a pitcher.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86632261/the-tribune/|newspaper=The Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 8, 1928|title=College Hurling Ace Sent Here On Option By Yanks|author=Kelly, Ed}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86632221/the-record/|newspaper=The Record|via=Newspapers.com|date=July 2, 1928|title=Johnny Roepke Will Play Pro Baseball}} {{Open access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86632202/santa-ana-register/|newspaper=Santa Ana Register|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 24, 1928|title=Roepke Pro Baseballer}} {{Open access}} He played his first game on June 13, 1928, allowing nine hits in two innings pitched before being benched.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86632242/the-tribune/|newspaper=The Tribune|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 14, 1928|title=Getzmen Drop To Seventh Place In N.Y.-Penna. Wheel}} {{Open access}} The Miners lost the game, 4–10, against the York White Roses.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86632141/the-evening-news/|newspaper=The Evening News|via=Newspapers.com|date=June 14, 1928|title=Roepke Loses First}} {{Open access}} It was his only appearance with the team.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93981384/the-york-dispatch/|newspaper=The York Dispatch|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 15, 1928|title=Untitled}} {{Open access}} The Miners finished the season with a record of 55–78, placing seventh in the league.
=Football=
After the baseball season ended, Roepke tried out professional football, playing for the Frankford Yellow Jackets of the National Football League (NFL). He appeared in 10 out of the team's 16 games, starting three of them at a "back" position. In week three of the season, a 10–6 victory over the Providence Steam Roller, Roepke scored his first career points on a field goal.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RoepJo20/field-goals/1928/|title=Johnny Roepke 1928 Field Goal Log|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} In a 19–0 shutout over the Pottsville Maroons, he scored his first professional touchdown, on a 12-yard rush in the first quarter.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/192811100fyj.htm|title=Pottsville Maroons at Frankford Yellow Jackets - November 10th, 1928|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} In week ten, he threw a touchdown pass to Carl Waite.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/R/RoepJo20/touchdowns/passing|title=Johnny Roepke Career Passing Touchdown Log|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}} He also kicked one extra point during the season, as the Yellow Jackets placed second in the league.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/fyj/1928.htm|title=1928 Frankford Yellow Jackets Statistics & Players|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com}}
Roepke left Frankford after the season to join the Atlantic City Tornadoes, the first 1929 opponents of his former team.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86632354/courier-post/|newspaper=Courier-Post|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 21, 1929|title=Gugle Quits Shore 'Pro' Grid Eleven}} {{Open access}} After the first game, a 0–6 loss for Atlantic City, Roepke left the team and joined the Clifton Heights Orange & Black.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86632508/delaware-county-daily-times/|newspaper=Delaware County Daily Times|via=Newspapers.com|date=September 27, 1929|title=Johnny Roepke May Play With Clifton Sunday|author=Donovan, Joe}} {{Open access}} He finished the season with Clifton before joining the Upper Darby Greenbacks the following year.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86632551/republican-and-herald/|newspaper=Republican and Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 23, 1930|title=Will Make Try To Hold The Darby Team}} {{Open access}} He returned with the Greenbacks for the 1931 season.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86632676/republican-and-herald/|newspaper=Republican and Herald|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 16, 1931|title=Shenandoah Faces Tough Proposition on Sunday}} {{Open access}} In October 1932, Roepke was signed by the Paterson Night Hawks prior to their game against the New York Giants.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86632947/the-news/|newspaper=The News|via=Newspapers.com|date=October 4, 1932|title=Nighthawks Sign Two Stars to Fill in Gaps in Lineup for Tussle With New York Giants Tomorrow Night}} {{Open access}} He made two appearances for the Night Hawks before retiring.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerr/roep00200.html|website=Pro Football Archives|title=Johnny Roepke Stats|access-date=October 7, 2021|archive-date=October 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211007213553/https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerr/roep00200.html|url-status=dead}}
Later life and death
Roepke was married on December 22, 1928, to Anne Kost of Tyrone, Pennsylvania.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/86632178/the-brooklyn-citizen/|newspaper=The Brooklyn Citizen|via=Newspapers.com|title=Johnny Roepke Marries|date=December 23, 1928}} {{Open access}}
Roepke later worked for the Manhattan Rubber Division of Raybestos, Inc.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46413316/obituary-for-john-roepke-aged-56/|newspaper=The Record|via=Newspapers.com|date=February 27, 1962|title=John Roepke, 56; Former Gridder}} {{Open access}} He died on February 26, 1962, at the age of 56, following a short illness.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Roepke, Johnny}}
Category:Players of American football from Jersey City, New Jersey
Category:Baseball players from Jersey City, New Jersey
Category:Penn State Nittany Lions basketball players
Category:Penn State Nittany Lions football players
Category:Penn State Nittany Lions baseball players
Category:American football halfbacks
Category:American football linebackers
Category:Basketball players from Jersey City, New Jersey