John Paci

John P. Paci III is an American former football quarterback. He played college football at Indiana. He was on the New York Jets' active roster in 1996.

Early life Paci played high school football at Huntington High School in Huntington, New York. He won the Hansen Award as the best football player in Suffolk County, New York. He served as the third-string quarterback in 1991, only attempting one pass all season. Paci was the backup to Trent Green in 1992. Due to an injury to Green, Paci made his first career start on October 31, 1992, against the Minnesota Golden Gophers. He finished the year completing 123 of 236 passes (52.1%) for 1,625 yards, seven touchdowns, and six interceptions while also rushing for 200 yards and three touchdowns. As a senior in 1994, Paci split time in games with Chris Dittoe. Paci started the first nine games of the season before being benched. After Dittoe suffered an injury, Paci returned as starter for the season finale. Paci finished his senior year with totals of 96 completions on 176 attempts (54.5%) for 996 yards, six touchdowns, five interceptions, 160 rushing yards, and eight rushing touchdowns.

Professional career World League of American Football After going undrafted in the 1995 NFL draft, Paci signed with the Barcelona Dragons of the World League of American Football (WLAF). He was waived on August 19, signed to the practice squad on August 27, released on September 3, and signed to the practice squad again on September 17.

Paci re-signed with the Jets on March 17, 1997. He was later waived for the final time on August 11, 1997.

Paci later became a managing director at Morgan Stanley.

Paci was inducted into the National Football Foundation’s Long Island Football Hall of Fame in 2008, and the Suffolk Sports Hall Of Fame in 2021.