Vic Janowicz

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Vic Janowicz
Date of birth	February 26, 1930
Place of birth	Elyria, OH
Date of death	February 27, 1996
Position(s)	Halfback
College	Ohio State
NFL Draft	1952 / Round 7/ Pick 79
Awards	1950 Heisman Trophy
Retired #s	Ohio State Buckeyes #31
Statistics	DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
1954-1955	Washington Redskins
College Hall-of-Fame

Victor Felix "Vic" Janowicz (born February 26, 1930, died February 27, 1996) played halfback for Ohio State University. A tailback in the single wing, he won the Heisman Trophy in 1950 as a junior. Woody Hayes, who coached Janowicz's senior year, said of him, "He was not only a great runner, but also passed, was a place kicker and punter, played safety on defense and was an outstanding blocker. Janowicz epitomized the 'triple-threat' football player."

After college he passed up offers to play pro football in order to pursue a baseball career. Janowicz reached the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but hit only .214 over two seasons as a bench player. He returned to football late in the 1954 season with the Washington Redskins, and was their starting halfback in 1955. During training camp in 1956, he suffered a serious brain injury in an automobile accident that left him partially paralyzed and ended his athletic career. He died in Columbus, Ohio, of cancer in 1996.

Janowicz was born and raised in Elyria, Ohio. He went to Holy Cross Elementary School and graduated from Elyria High School. The stretch of Sixth Street which runs along the south side of Elyria High is named Vic Janowicz Drive in his honor, and the school's official address is 311 Vic Janowicz Drive. In addition, a life-size painting of Janowicz hangs in the lobby of the school.

Preceded by Leon Hart	Heisman Trophy Winner Winner 1950	Succeeded by Dick Kazmaier
Preceded by Red Wilson	Big Ten Football MVP 1950	Succeeded by Bill Reichardt
Preceded by Jack Lininger	Ohio State Buckeyes Football Season MVP 1950 & 1951	Succeeded by Fred Bruney

[edit] External links

• Janowicz Heisman Trophy Bio
• College football career summary from the Ohio State University website
• Ohio State Retires Number 31 to Honor Janowicz

Ohio State Buckeyes Football Retired Numbers
#22 Les Horvath • #27 Eddie George • #31 Vic Janowicz • #40 Hopalong Cassady • #45 Archie Griffin • #47 Chic Harley