First, thanks for talking to me about your dad, John. I know he just recently passed away in June. Before we start with some questions, tell me a bit about what you think people should know about your dad?
My dad was born on October 19th, 1937 in Hawaii. He grew up in Kaneohe Hawaii and had a good early childhood. What really helped him most in football was the fact he took Judo for twelve years at a dojo in Hawaii – he said that really helped him with his football skills.
He’s still the only player from his high school to get to the NFL. He went to college at BYU and returned to Hawaii after his playing days to coach at the same high school. He gave back after being an All-Star all four years there.
His dad actually worked at Pearl Harbor in 1941 – he didn’t come home for four days. They thought he died, but he had to stay to help clean up after the attack.
Tell me about his time at BYU?
Growing up my grandfather was a worker for a parker ranch in Hawaii on the big island. He was a rigger – he knew how to tie knots and was a rigger and welder at Pearl Harbor.
My grandma grew up in the Salvation Army. Her parents died at an early age and she was raised by the Salvation Army. My grandmother brought my dad up and was proud when he got into BYU. But my dad didn’t know that when you went to college to play football you to go to school too! He was flunking out. So my grandmother wrote him a letter telling him how proud she was of him – that he was the first in the family to make it to college. My dad told me he didn’t want to break her heart – he studied and got better grades. He didn’t want to let her down.
Did he tell you a bit about being drafted by the Steelers?
He told me that when he finished college he was drafted in the seventh round. The team called him up to tell him. He was getting looked at by the CFL too. When they called him they told him he was drafted and would receive a contract for about $10,000, with a $2,000 signing bonus. They flew him up as well – so he took the deal.
Those days, they only had thirty-five people on a squad – only eight linemen. So the guys had to practice both ways. My dad was a defensive lineman but had to practice as an offensive lineman too. One game versus the Packers he had to play offensive guard – Bobby Layne was the quarterback then. Green Bay of course was so good then. On first down he missed his block and his guy hit Bobby Layne. Layne told the line that somebody was missing their man and they were getting to him. On second down he missed his man again and Layne was yelling at the guys to block their man. So on third down my dad had to hold his guy s0 he said the ref was just laughing at him.
He told me that the jump to the pros was just so different. Everyone was so good. His first day he told me he remembered standing on the field – he told me he couldn’t believe he made it. That memory stood out for him.
Any other memories stand out that he shared with you?
Back then the race movement was big. He told me that whenever they traveled they wouldn’t put him in a room with a Black person. But on one road trip – a guy they just traded for – Frank Williams from the Raiders – they had him room with my dad. He was a Black man. He said the manager later apologized to him but my dad didn’t care. Said it was ok of course.
My dad told me that the Rooney family was really nice – he was close to Dan and liked Art Sr. too. My dad was a cab driver in Hawaii and when Art Sr. came to the island my dad drove him around and showed him the island. He was a high class guy.
Your dad retired after his third season – what happened?
My dad was traded to Philadelphia after his second season and then to the Jets. He played for a half season there but then hurt his hamstring. He never really got over the injury and retired after that. A couple of years later the Jets won the Super Bowl.
My dad met my mom in New York after and they got married. He just wanted to start a family after his time with the Jets. They moved back to Hawaii where he could give back to his family.
What should fans remember about your dad?
My dad cared about other people. At his funeral there were two Japanese players that were undersized guys – but he gave them a chance. As a coach he gave everyone a chance. He was fair and well-liked. And gentle as a coach. He was a teacher – he cared about others more than himself.
Read more by former Steelers via the book Steelers Takeaways: Player Memories Through the Decades. To order, just click on the book:
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Go to one of the most respected and most influential mentors in my life, as a young man. His never quit, never give up and positive attitude was something that influenced me for the rest of my life. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Coach’s and his family. RIP Coach #23 Class of 1973.