Bob DeMarco

Robert DeMarco (born September 16, 1938) is an American former professional football player who was a center for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for four teams. He played college football for the Indiana Hoosiers and Dayton Flyers.

Early life DeMarco was born on September 16, 1938 in Jersey City, New Jersey to Albert and Louise DeMarco. Raised in Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, DeMarco graduated in 1956 from St. Mary High School in nearby Rutherford, New Jersey, where he played both the offensive and defensive lines on the school's football team. In 1953, the undefeated Gaels won the state championship, his sophomore year. The 1953 team was inducted into the St. Mary High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997.

College DeMarco received a football scholarship to Indiana University, where he played one year. He transferred to the University of Dayton where he played two years, and was team captain his senior year. DeMarco graduated in 1961 with degrees in business management and economics.

Professional career DeMarco was selected by the Chicago Cardinals in the 14th round of 1960 NFL draft, the 157th overall selection. DeMarco played in the NFL from 1961 to 1969 for the St. Louis Cardinals, from 1970 to 1971 for the Miami Dolphins, from 1972 to 1974 for the Cleveland Browns and in 1975 for the Los Angeles Rams He played guard as a rookie, but center for the next 14 years after that. During the 1960s he served as a player representative for the union.

Early in their careers, McMillan and DeMarco served in the military together, and soon after became roommates with the Cardinals, a rare interracial pairing at the time.

The Cardinals released DeMarco after the 1969 season, after a dispute with head coach Charley Winner,

DeMarco started every game at center for the Dolphins 1971 team He played in the December 25, 1971 AFC playoff game between the Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs, which is the longest NFL game in history, lasting 82 minutes and 40 seconds of playing time; though the actual time from the beginning to end of the game was three hours and 18 minutes.

He played in Cleveland for three years, starting 27 games in 1973 and 1974. After retiring, DeMarco returned to St. Louis, where he worked in electronics and finance, and was a long-time salesman for a chemical company.

He was inducted into the St. Louis Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.