Nick Adduci
{{Short description|American football player (1929–2005)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| image =
| position = Defensive back
| number = 44, 25
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1929|7|12}}
| birth_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2005|11|4|1929|07|12}}
| death_place = Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
| high_school = Pullman Tech (IL)
| college = Nebraska
| pastteams =
- Green Bay Packers* ({{NFL Year|1954}})
- Washington Redskins ({{NFL Year|1954}}–{{NFL Year|1955}})
| pastcoaching =
- Brother Rice HS (IL) (1958–1962)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 22
| pfr = AdduNi20
}}
Nicholas Frank Adduci (July 12, 1929 – November 4, 2005) was an American professional football defensive back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Nebraska.
College career
Adduci earned a football scholarship to the University of Nebraska, where he played for the Cornhuskers.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/55175792/?clipping_id=131373815|title=Sports hall of fame dinner Friday|work=Suburbanite Economist|date=October 15, 1972|access-date=September 6, 2023|page=77|via=Newspapers.com}} He was captain and team MVP of the freshman team, and earned the starting fullback role on varsity as a sophomore. Adduci led the Nebraska team in rushing, averaging 4.9 yards on 60 carries.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/671015653/?clipping_id=131254577|title=Nick Adduci To Rejoin Huskers|work=Alliance Times-Herald|date=September 30, 1953|access-date=September 4, 2023|page=5|via=Newspapers.com}} As a junior in 1950, he ranked second on the team in rushing behind Bobby Reynolds, receiving several honorable mention All-American selections.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/313190708/?clipping_id=131222130|title=NU's Adduci Called in Draft|work=Lincoln Journal Star|date=October 13, 1951|access-date=September 4, 2023|page=5|via=Newspapers.com}}
Adduci's senior season was interrupted when he was drafted into the Army in October 1951.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/66418650/?clipping_id=131254323|title=Nittany Lions Seek Grid Revenge Here|work=The Lincoln Star|first=Norris|last=Anderson|date=October 13, 1951|access-date=September 4, 2023|page=1|via=Newspapers.com}} He did two years of military service, playing service football while working as an Army medic.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/65806976/?clipping_id=131315507|title=The Firing Line|work=The Lincoln Star|first=Norris|last=Anderson|date=October 4, 1953|access-date=September 4, 2023|page=14|via=Newspapers.com}} He also won the heavyweight boxing title at Fort Leonard Wood via first-round knockout. Adduci returned during the 1953 season, rejoining the team as a reserve fullback.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/883690923/?clipping_id=131356814|title=Nick Adduci Debut Likely If Novak Ails|work=Omaha World-Herald|first=Floyd|last=Olds|date=October 17, 1953|access-date=September 6, 2023|page=9|via=Newspapers.com}}
Professional career
In July 1954, Adduci signed with the Green Bay Packers.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/189081388/?clipping_id=131372350|title=Seven Packer Rookies Enter Service|work=Green Bay Press-Gazette|first=Art|last=Daley|date=July 17, 1954|access-date=September 6, 2023|page=13|via=Newspapers.com}} He made the roster as a linebacker, but was released in September.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/428752513/?clipping_id=131372418|title=Nick Adduci Wins Place With Packers|work=The Columbus Telegram|date=September 15, 1954|access-date=September 6, 2023|page=6|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/928433122/?clipping_id=131372457|title=Packers Drop Dozen|work=Santa Barbara News-Press|date=September 21, 1954|access-date=September 6, 2023|page=|via=Newspapers.com}} Adduci was signed by the Washington Redskins later that month.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/188534478/?clipping_id=131372750|title=Washington Picks Up Nick Adduci; Matson Joins Chi-Cardinals|work=Green Bay Press-Gazette|date=September 29, 1954|access-date=September 6, 2023|page=21|via=Newspapers.com}} He was released in September 1956.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/500573127/?clipping_id=131372880|title=Nick Adduci Released From Pro Grid Team|work=Fremont Tribune|date=September 13, 1956|access-date=September 6, 2023|page=10|via=Newspapers.com}}
Post-playing career
Adduci served as head coach of the football program at Brother Rice High School in Chicago from 1958 to 1962, leading them to three playoff appearances.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/884171441/?clipping_id=131220507|title=Adduci|work=Omaha World-Herald|date=May 2, 1958|access-date=September 4, 2023|page=43|via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/374657488/?clipping_id=131221350|title=Nick Adduci, Brother Rice coach, resigns|work=Chicago Tribune|date=February 5, 1963|access-date=September 4, 2023|page=38|via=Newspapers.com}} He worked as a part-time scout for the Philadelphia Eagles for many years before he was hired as a full-time scout for the Houston Oilers in 1971.{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/55165377/?clipping_id=131373081|title=Roseland's Nick Adduci full-time scout for Houston|work=Suburbanite Economist|first=Andrew|last=Leckey|date=September 17, 1972|access-date=September 6, 2023|page=21|via=Newspapers.com}}
Adduci was inducted into the Roseland-Pullman Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1972.
References
{{reflist}}
{{Portal|Biography}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Adduci, Nick}}
Category:Players of American football from Chicago
Category:Nebraska Cornhuskers football players
Category:American football defensive backs
Category:Washington Redskins players
Category:Coaches of American football from Illinois