Jack Dugger
John Dugger | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Canton, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | February 23, 1988 (aged 65) |
| Occupation | Professional athlete |
| Years active | 1940s |
| Known for | NFL player for Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears; NBL player for Syracuse Nationals |
John Richard Rabbit Dugger (born January 13, 1923 – died February 23, 1988) was an American professional athlete who spent three seasons competing in the National Football League (NFL) with the Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears. Additionally, he played one season of professional basketball for the Syracuse Nationals in the National Basketball League (NBL).
College career
Dugger earned nine letters while attending Ohio State University and was previously a student at Canton McKinley High School in Canton, Ohio. He began his collegiate football career playing tackle in 1942 before moving to left end during his junior and senior seasons. In 1944, he achieved consensus first-team All-American recognition.
Beyond football, Dugger demonstrated athletic versatility by lettering in track and basketball as well, accumulating honors across all three sports for three years. He was named Ohio State's most valuable basketball player in 1942 and was honored with the Big Ten Award for outstanding combined athletic and academic performance. Before World War II led to event cancellations, he had been invited to participate in Olympic trials as a shot-put athlete.
Professional career
Dugger was chosen by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second round of the 1945 NFL draft. His professional football tenure also included time with the Buffalo Bisons of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC).
During the 1946–47 season, Dugger competed professionally in basketball with the Syracuse Nationals in the National Basketball League, where he averaged 1.7 points per game.
Later life
Following his retirement from athletics, Dugger pursued a career in the trucking industry, holding presidential roles at Suburban Motor Freight, Point Express, and Tucker Motor Freight. In recognition of his athletic achievements, he was inducted into the Ohio State Sports Hall of Fame in 1979.