Rocco Canale

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Rocco Peter Canale (August 15, 1920 – November 1, 1995) was a professional football player in the National Football League (NFL). During his pro career, he split time between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Boston Yanks. However was also a member of the "Steagles", a team that was the result of a temporary merger between the Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers due to the league-wide manning shortages in 1943 brought on by World War II. Canale's brawny physique earned him the nickname "the Walking Billboard".

Biography

Rocco was born in 1920 in

Ed McMahon, who later became Johnny Carson's sidekick on "The Tonight Show", met Canale while he was trying out for Boston College's football team. During a scrimmage, McMahon was assigned to play opposite Canale. While McMahon stopped him once, Canale soon afterwards hit him back even harder. This ended any dreams McMahon had of becoming a football player. 'He creamed me,' McMahon once said, 'and I turned in my uniforms'.

Military service

In 1943 Canale was drafted into the

Canale was drafted in 1943 by, Eagles coach, Greasy Neale to play weekend ball with the Eagles. However 1943 saw the Eagles and Steelers merge to form the Steagles. That season, Canale played in seven games, and in the following year, he participated in nine more; his commanding officer was sympathetic to his desire to play pro football, and allowed him to play with the Steagles. Realizing the football talent among them, the First Army Air Force Fighter Command asked Canale play on its team. He played seven games with the Army in 1945 while still playing four professional football games with the Eagles. In 1946, he asked to be traded to the Boston Yanks and played for that team for the rest of his career. Although he decided to return to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1948, an injury ended his football career.

Post football

Family business

After his playing career ended due to an injury, Canale returned home to Watertown to co-manage with his brother, Richard, Canale's Restaurant, the family business. He was the restaurant's president for 30 years.

Watertown Red and Black

Canale coached the Watertown Red & Black football team, the oldest semi-pro football team in the United States, for three seasons. He ended his coaching career with a 23–2 record. In 1981, he received the Old Timers Certificate of Appreciation by the Red and Black Team of Watertown.

Politics

Canale was active in the

Family

Rocco married Eleanor M. Hilden of Boston, Massachusetts, on December 7, 1943. The couple gave birth to two children, Marcia Canale-Bracken and Nicholas R. Canale.

Scholarship

A scholarship was later created by Canale's wife in his name. It provides Jefferson Community College students who are pursuing an associate degree in physical education the financial opportunity they need to some day coach young adults or become professional athletes.

References

• "The Steagles"—Saved Pro Football During World War II (
  ISBN 0-306-81472-2
  )