Johnny Podesto

{{Short description|American football player (1921–2015)}}

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

{{Infobox college football player

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| name = Johnny Podesto

| image =

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| school = Saint Mary's Gaels

| pastschools = Modesto Junior College (?–1941)
Saint Mary's University (1940–1942)
College of the Pacific (1943)

| currentnumber = 73

| currentposition = Quarterback, Halfback

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| highschool = Modesto (CA)

| birth_date = {{Birth date|1921|3|26}}

| birth_place = Modesto, California, U.S.

| death_date = {{Death date and age|2015|11|13|1921|3|26}}

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| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 0

| weight_lb = 190

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John B. Podesto, nicknamed Presto Podesto from Modesto (March 26, 1921 – November 13, 2015) was an American football quarterback and halfback who played for the St. Mary's Gaels.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74349122/the-modesto-bee/|newspaper=The Modesto Bee|date=November 20, 2015|title='Presto Podesto from Modesto' had skills|author=Agostini, Ron|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open Access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74350333/oakland-tribune/|newspaper=Oakland Tribune|title=ST. MARY'S HURLER FOR OPENING DAY|date=September 25, 1942|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open Access}} He was drafted in the first round (10th overall) in the 1944 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers but did not play for them. He later was signed by the Chicago Bears but did not play with them either.

Early life and education

Podesto was born on March 26, 1921, in Modesto, California, to Giovannia and Maria Podesto. He was the youngest of nine children.{{Cite web|url=https://www.legacy.com/amp/obituaries/sfgate/176544947|title=John Podesto Obituary (1921 - 2015) - Modesto, CA - San Francisco Chronicle|website=www.legacy.com}} He attended Modesto High School and Modesto Junior College before continuing his education at Saint Mary's University and College 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.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74350035/the-pomona-progress-bulletin/|newspaper=The Pomona Progress Bulletin|date=October 10, 1942|title=Johnny Podesto is Out for Gaels|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open Access}} In 1943, under coach Amos Alonzo Stagg, Podesto was named All-American while at Pacific. While playing from 1941 to 1943, and from 1944 to 1945, Podesto entered the Marine Corps and achieved the rank of captain while in World War II.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74349255/oakland-tribune/|newspaper=Oakland Tribune|date=December 10, 1941|title=John Podesto, Zacharias to Join Service|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open Access}}

Professional career

Podesto was drafted with the 10th pick in the 1944 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers.{{Cite web|url=https://www.profootballarchives.com/playerp/pode00200.html|title=Johnny Podesto Stats - Pro Football Archives|website=www.profootballarchives.com}} He was serving in the marines from 1944 to 1945 so he could not play with them. In 1946, he signed with the team.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74349948/the-pittsburgh-press/|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|date=July 24, 1946|via=Newspapers.com|title=Podesto Expected to Make Big Hit with Steeler Fans|author=Drum, Bob}} {{Open Access}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74349068/the-pittsburgh-press/|newspaper=The Pittsburgh Press|via=Newspapers.com|date=May 12, 1946|title=Steelers Sign John Podesto, Star Back and Ace Passer}} {{Open Access}} However, Podesto did not play with the Steelers. The next season he signed with the Chicago Bears but did not play with them, either.

Later life

After Podesto's sports career, he was a successful business owner.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/74348598/petaluma-argus-courier/|newspaper=Petaluma Argus Courier|title=Andy Bertucci—Johnny Podesto|date=August 13, 1965|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open Access}} He worked with the Modesto Tallow Company for over 50 years. He died on November 13, 2015, at the age of 94.{{cite web|url=https://www.modbee.com/sports/college/article45588873.html|website=The Modesto Bee|title=John Podesto, 'Presto Podesto From Modesto,' dies at age 94|author=Agostini, Ron|date=November 19, 2015}} At the time of his death he had 5 children, 12 grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren.

References

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