Johnny Gramling

John Gramling (1932 – January 13, 2017) was an American professional football quarterback who played for the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Interprovincial Rugby Football Union (IRFU). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks, and was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 24th round of the 1954 NFL draft.

Early life John Gramling was born in 1932.

College career Gramling was a three-year football letterman for the South Carolina Gamecocks from 1951 to 1953. Gramling took over as the full-time starter his junior year in 1952, completing 61 of 144 passes for a new school record of 709 yards. He earned United Press (UP) first-team All-Southern Conference honors for his performance during the 1952 season. The next year, he completed 68 of 132 passes for 1,045 yards, garnering UP first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and Associated Press second-team All-ACC recognition. Gramling finished his college career with school records in both career passing yards (2,007) and career passing touchdowns (18). He was also a two-year letterman in baseball as a pitcher from 1952 to 1953. He completed 11 of 22 passes for 114 yards, one touchdown, and four interceptions as the East lost by a score of 31–7.

Gramling was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 24th round, with the 288th overall pick, of the 1954 NFL draft. On September 17, it was reported that Gramling, who was a lieutenant in the United States Air Force Reserve, had been ordered to report for duty on September 30. The Rough Riders requested that Gramling be allowed to finish the 1954 season but it was denied.

Personal life Gramling later became a farmer and businessman. He was married to former Miss USA and Miss World 1956 contestant Betty Lane Cherry. He died on January 13, 2017, in Orangeburg.