Jay Venuto

{{Short description|American football player (born 1958)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}

Jason Schellenger "Jay" Venuto (born February 5, 1958) is a former American football quarterback who played in the National Football League for the Baltimore Colts and the New York Jets, and in the United States Football League for the Birmingham Stallions.

Born in Salem, New Jersey, on February 5, 1958, he is the son of Sam Venuto, who played in the NFL for the Washington Redskins.[https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerv/venu00200.html Jay Venuto], Pro Football Archives. Accessed April 28, 2023. "Born: February 5, 1958 Salem, NJ"

He played prep football at Salem High School and played collegiately for the Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team. Leading the team to a 9–3 record and a bowl berth, Venuto was named as the 1979 Atlantic Coast Conference football player of the year, earning the choice from 60% of the 121 votes cast.[https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-jay-venuto-chosen-as-a/123679353/ "Deacons' Jay Venuto named ACC player of the year"], Roanoke Times and World-News, December 5, 1979. Accessed April 28, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "Wake Forest quarterback Jay Venuto has been chosen the Atlantic Coast Conference football player of the year. The junior from Salem N.J. who led the Deacons to an 8-3 record and a place in the Tangerine Bowl was the choice of the Atlantic Coast Sports Writers Association He received 73 of the 121 votes cast." He was inducted into the Wake Forest Sports Hall of Fame and was recognized as a 2013 Atlantic Coast Conference Legend.Odenbrett, Austin. [https://www.nj.com/south-jersey-sports/2013/11/salem_graduate_jay_venuto_to_b.html "Salem graduate Jay Venuto to be honored at ACC football championship game"], South Jersey Times, November 21, 2013. Accessed April 28, 2023. "For his efforts back in his prime, Venuto, a Salem High School graduate, has been selected to represent Wake Forest as a 2013 Atlantic Coast Conference Legend, and will be recognized during the ACC's 9th Annual Dr. Pepper Championship weekend on Dec. 6-7 in Charlotte, N.C."