John Don Looney (September 2, 1916 – April 5, 2015) was a professional
American football
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in the
National Football League
The National Football League (NFL) is a Professional gridiron football, professional American football league in the United States. Composed of 32 teams, it is divided equally between the American Football Conference (AFC) and the National ...
(NFL). He was selected in the eighth round of the 1940 NFL draft. He played three seasons for the
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia. The Eagles compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The team plays its ...
(1940) and the
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional American football team based in Pittsburgh. The Steelers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the American Football Conference (AFC) AFC North, North division. Founded in 1933 P ...
(1941–1942).
Looney set new NFL records for catches and yards in a single game during his 1940 rookie season and led the league in receiving yards, topping Packers player and
Hall of Fame
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Sulphur Springs, Texas
Sulphur Springs is a city in and the county seat of Hopkins County, Texas, United States. As of the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, its population was 15,941. Sulphur Springs is located in Northeast Texas.
History
Sulphur Springs "Former Eagles and Steelers WR Looney dies at 98," AP News, apnews.com/, April 7, 2015.
Dafted into the NFL ahead of the 1940 season, Looney was the first receiver in NFL history to have over 100 yards receiving in each of his first two games, a feat which was not equaled until the 2008 NFL season">1940 NFL season">1940 season, Looney was the first receiver in NFL history to have over 100 yards receiving in each of his first two games, a feat which was not equaled until the 2008 NFL season by another Eagles wide receiver, DeSean Jackson. He also set new NFL records for most catches in a game (14) and most yards gained receiving in a single game (180) during the season.William Abbott, "1940 Records," ''Pro Football Illustrated: Fall 1941 Edition.'' Mt. Morris, IL: Elbak Publishing, 1941; p. 31. His 707 total yards gained receiving were the highest in the NFL for the 1940 season, topping the year of
Hall of Fame
A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...
World War II
World War II or the Second World War (1 September 1939 – 2 September 1945) was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War II, Allies and the Axis powers. World War II by country, Nearly all of the wo ...
for the
United States Army
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after the 1942 season. He did not resume his professional football career after termination of the war, instead becoming an NFL official.
At the time of his death at the age of 98, Looney was the second oldest living former NFL player. He was the father of NFL running back Joe Don Looney, who died in a one-person motorcycle accident after his NFL career ended. Looney's partner was Linda Roark, whom he met in 1992.