Johnny Kusko

John Kusko (March 27, 1914 – July 6, 1974) was an American football back. He played college football for the Temple Owls, where he spent several seasons as a backup before becoming their leading rusher as a senior in 1935. After college, Kusko played professionally for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL) from 1936 to 1938 and for the Wilmington Clippers of the American Association (AA) in 1939. Early life John Kusko was born on March 27, 1914, in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania, where he grew up. He attended Nesquehoning High School, where he competed in football and basketball. Kusko was also a boxer, being classified as a heavyweight while weighing over . He claimed the championships of Lackawanna and Luzerne counties. Kusko then attended Temple University from 1933 to 1935. Playing under coach Pop Warner, Kusko was a backup fullback to David Smukler and saw little action most of his time at Temple.

Kusko entered the 1935 season, his senior year, as a backup, before later serving time as the starter after Smukler was injured. He broke out after the promotion and ended up being Temple's leading rusher for the season. In an upset win over Marquette, Kusko ran for 137 yards and a touchdown while also throwing a touchdown, a performance that earned the praise of Warner and local newspapers, one of which commented that he "wasn't merely good ... he was PERFECT". He helped the 1935 Owls to an overall record of 7–3. Kusko finished the season with 137 rush attempts for 524 yards, averaging 3.7 yards per carry while scoring two touchdowns and two extra points. However, he left Temple in February 1936, in part due to a dispute with a professor. He made the team and was one of their primary backs during the 1936 season, running the ball in 10 of 12 games and seeing action as a passer in eight games. He appeared in all 12 games, one as a starter, and was fourth on the team in rushing with 49 rush attempts for 209 yards and a touchdown, a 4.3 average per carry. Kusko was also the team's second-leading passer. He only appeared in one game for the Eagles in 1938. Kusko had an offer to return to the Eagles in 1939, but declined as it would have interfered with a job he held. In August 1939, he signed with the Wilmington Clippers of the American Association (AA) on a contract that allowed him to also retain his job. Kusko did not return to the team in 1940. He stayed active in local sports after his professional football career and was a golfer. Personal life Kusko married Josephine Greenamoyer in May 1936 and had two daughters with her. He worked for a time as a miner and later as a welder in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He died in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, on July 6, 1974, at the age of 60.