High school: Southbridge (MA) Role American football player Positions Center Name John Fitzgerald Education Boston College | Games started: 108 Weight 116 kg Games played: 137 Height 1.96 m | |
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Date of birth: (1948-04-16) April 16, 1948 (age 67) Place of birth: Southbridge, Massachusetts NFL draft: 1970 / Round: 4 / Pick: 101 | ||
John Robert Fitzgerald (born April 16, 1948) is a former American football center in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys from 1971 to 1980, including four Super Bowls. He played college football at Boston College and was drafted in the fourth round of the 1970 NFL Draft.
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Early years
Fitzgerald played as a 300 lb fullback for Southbridge High School. He received a scholarship from Boston College and became a two-way tackle, playing both offense and defense during his three-year varsity career.
He was inducted into the Boston College Varsity Club Athletic Hall of Fame in 1982.
Professional career
Fitzgerald was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 1970 NFL Draft. The team tried him first as a defensive lineman, before converting him to center during the 1972 training camp.
At the time, he was taller than the prototype center and took over the starting position from Dave Manders in 1973. He never appeared in a Pro Bowl, but became a central part of a strong Offensive line in Dallas for most of the decade.
Fitzgerald named the Offensive line as the "Four Irishmen and a Scott", referring to himself, Pat Donovan, Jim Cooper, Tom Rafferty and Herb Scott.
He took great pride in his ability to snap from the Shotgun formation, which was re-introduced to the NFL by Tom Landry.
Fitzgerald helped the Cowboys to 2 Super Bowl Championships and playoff appearances every season except one. He played in 138 games over 10 NFL seasons. On August 31, 1981, he was placed on the injured reserve list. On January 11, 1982, he announced his retirement due to injuries and was eventually replaced by Tom Rafferty.