Pepper Petrella

John Anton "Pepper" Petrella (May 7, 1920 – December 21, 1991) was an American professional football halfback who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions.

Early life John Anton Petrella was born on May 7, 1920, in Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

College career Petrella enrolled at Pennsylvania State University to play college football for the Nittany Lions. He was quarterback of the freshman team in 1938. He was a three-year varsity letterman from 1939 to 1941 as a halfback. He led the team in scoring during the 1941 season with 72 points (12 touchdowns). He ran 72 bombing missions in the China Burma India theater in 10 months. He played in the first three games of the 1945 season and started one of them. He totaled 15 carries for 33 yards, three kick returns for 85 yards, 6 punt returns for 52 yards, and one interception on defense for eight yards.

Petrella played in three games, starting one, for the Bethlehem Bulldogs of the American Football League in 1949, rushing 10 times for 81 yards and one touchdown while also scoring one receiving touchdown.

Personal life Petrella died on December 21, 1991, in Broward County, Florida.