Janowicz, Victor F.
Football
b. Feb. 26, 1930, Elyria, OH
As a sophomore halfback at Ohio State University, Janowicz missed much of the 1949 season with an injury, but he played at defensive back in the school's 17-14 victory over the University of California in the Rose Bowl. His coach, Wes Fesler, described his play in that game as "brilliant."
Janowicz became starting tailback in the single wing in 1950 and was just as brilliant on offense. The 5-foot-9, 187-pounder ran for 2 touchdowns, passed for 4, and kicked 10 extra points in an 83-21 rout of Iowa that season. A consensus All-American, he became the third junior to win the Heisman Trophy as the nation's outstanding college player.
Woody Hayes became the school's coach in 1950 and installed the T formation, which didn't use Janowicz's triple-threat skills, and he had an average season as a part-time starter. After a year of military service, he played professional baseball for two seasons, batting .214 as a catcher and third baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League.
Janowicz entered pro football in 1954 with the NFL's Washington Redskins. He finished second in the league in scoring with 88 points in 1955, but suffered a brain injury in an auto accident the following year. Though he recovered from the injury, his football career was over.
During his brief professional football career, Janowicz carried the ball 99 times for 410 yards and 4 touchdowns; caught 12 passes for 148 yards and 3 touchdowns; kicked 10 field goals and 37 extra points.