John Stonebraker

John Stonebraker

Stonebraker, circa 1941
No. 51
Position	End
Personal information
Born	(1918-04-25)April 25, 1918 Frankfort, Indiana, U.S.
Died	January 25, 2000(2000-01-25) (aged 81) Claremont, California, U.S.
Listed height	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight	200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High school	Fairfax (Los Angeles, California) Black-Foxe Military Institute (Hollywood, California)
College	USC (1937–1939)
Career history
Washington Redskins (1941)* Hollywood Bears (1941) Green Bay Packers (1942) Los Angeles Mustangs (1943) Los Angeles Bulldogs (1943) San Diego Naval Training Station Bluejackets (1944)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career statistics
Games played 9 Games started 2

John Shanklin Stonebraker (April 25, 1918 – January 25, 2000) was an American professional football player. An end, he played college football for the USC Trojans and was a member of their 1939 national championship team. He later played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers in 1942. He was also a member of the Washington Redskins and played two seasons in the Pacific Coast Professional Football League (PCFL) with the Hollywood Bears, Los Angeles Mustangs and Los Angeles Bulldogs, earning All-PCFL honors in 1941.

Life and career

Stonebraker was born on April 25, 1918, in Frankfort, Indiana.^[1] He later moved to California where he attended Fairfax High School and later Black-Foxe Military Institute in Los Angeles.^[1] He played football as an end in high school, earning second-team all-city honors at Fairfax in 1934 and 1935.^[2][3] He then played for Black-Foxe during the 1936 season.^[4]

Stonebraker enrolled at the University of Southern California (USC) in 1937 and played for the USC Trojans football team.^[1] He also competed for the USC Trojans track and field team, specializing in the javelin throw and shot put.^[5] He received his first varsity letter with the football team in 1938 and was one of their "outstanding pass receivers".^[1][6] He helped them compile a record of 9–2 with an appearance in the 1939 Rose Bowl, where they defeated the Duke Blue Devils.^[7] In preparation for the 1939 season, Stonebraker worked moving 300-pound (140 kg) ice blocks.^[8] He caught a 41-yard touchdown pass in the team's win over rival California and helped them compile an undefeated 8–0–2 record with a national championship title.^[9] He left USC in 1940.^[10]

Stonebraker signed with the Washington Redskins of the NFL on August 13, 1941, but was released on September 22 without appearing in a game.^[1] After his release, he joined the Hollywood Bears of the Pacific Coast Professional Football League (PCFL), starting all eight games while recording one receiving touchdown.^[1] He was named to the All-PCFL team and helped the Bears compile an undefeated 8–0 record.^[1][11] In June 1942, he signed with the Green Bay Packers.^[10] The Green Bay Press-Gazette described him as a "rugged right end" and noted that he was "highly recommended" to the Packers.^[10] Stonebraker appeared in nine games, two as a starter, helping the Packers finish second in their division with a record of 8–2–1.^[12] He did not return to the Packers in 1943.^[1]

Stonebraker signed with the Los Angeles Mustangs of the PCFL in 1943 and later joined the Los Angeles Bulldogs towards the end of the season to play tackle.^[13][14] He later served in the United States Navy.^[1] In 1944, while in the Navy, he played for the San Diego Naval Training Station Bluejackets.^[15]

Stonebraker married Marjorie Frantz in May 1939 and they had a son;^[10][16] he died on January 25, 2000, at the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, at the age of 81.^[17]

References