As a youngster, John had a heart defect, but overcame the problem to become a great all-around athlete at Yeadon High School. Legendary coach Wally Butts gave him a full scholarship to play football at the University of Georgia. As a quarterback, John started every game for the Bulldogs from 1945-1948. Under his leadership, Georgia captured two S.E.C. titles and played in four consecutive post-season bowl games. The 1947 squad finished 11-0, climaxing with a 20-10 Sugar Bowl victory over North Carolina. John was selected first team All-America quarterback in 1948, and then played three years in the N.F.L. with New York and the Philadelphia Eagles. He later became the first and only Delco athlete to be a head coach in the N.F.L. when Al Davis hired him to coach the Oakland Raiders. He led them to a 33-8-1 record from 1966-68, culminating with a trip to Super Bowl II, where they were defeated by the Green Bay Packers, 33-14.