John Stonebraker
 Stonebraker, circa 1941 | |||||
| No. 51 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | End | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born | April 25, 1918 Frankfort, Indiana, U.S. | ||||
| Died | January 25, 2000 (aged 81) Claremont, California, U.S. | ||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||
| Listed weight | 200 lb (91 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school | Fairfax (Los Angeles, California) Black-Foxe Military Institute (Hollywood, California) | ||||
| College | USC (1937–1939) | ||||
| Career history | |||||
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* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
| Career statistics | |||||
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John Shanklin Stonebraker (April 25, 1918 – January 25, 2000) was an American professional football player. An end, he played college football for the USC Trojans and was a member of their 1939 national championship team. He later played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers in 1942. He was also a member of the Washington Redskins and played two seasons in the Pacific Coast Professional Football League (PCFL) with the Hollywood Bears, Los Angeles Mustangs and Los Angeles Bulldogs, earning All-PCFL honors in 1941.
Life and career
Stonebraker was born on April 25, 1918, in Frankfort, Indiana.[1] He later moved to California where he attended Fairfax High School and later Black-Foxe Military Institute in Los Angeles.[1] He played football as an end in high school, earning second-team all-city honors at Fairfax in 1934 and 1935.[2][3] He then played for Black-Foxe during the 1936 season.[4]
Stonebraker enrolled at the University of Southern California (USC) in 1937 and played for the USC Trojans football team.[1] He also competed for the USC Trojans track and field team, specializing in the javelin throw and shot put.[5] He received his first varsity letter with the football team in 1938 and was one of their "outstanding pass receivers".[1][6] He helped them compile a record of 9–2 with an appearance in the 1939 Rose Bowl, where they defeated the Duke Blue Devils.[7] In preparation for the 1939 season, Stonebraker worked moving 300-pound (140 kg) ice blocks.[8] He caught a 41-yard touchdown pass in the team's win over rival California and helped them compile an undefeated 8–0–2 record with a national championship title.[9] He left USC in 1940.[10]
Stonebraker signed with the Washington Redskins of the NFL on August 13, 1941, but was released on September 22 without appearing in a game.[1] After his release, he joined the Hollywood Bears of the Pacific Coast Professional Football League (PCFL), starting all eight games while recording one receiving touchdown.[1] He was named to the All-PCFL team and helped the Bears compile an undefeated 8–0 record.[1][11] In June 1942, he signed with the Green Bay Packers.[10] The Green Bay Press-Gazette described him as a "rugged right end" and noted that he was "highly recommended" to the Packers.[10] Stonebraker appeared in nine games, two as a starter, helping the Packers finish second in their division with a record of 8–2–1.[12] He did not return to the Packers in 1943.[1]
Stonebraker signed with the Los Angeles Mustangs of the PCFL in 1943 and later joined the Los Angeles Bulldogs towards the end of the season to play tackle.[13][14] He later served in the United States Navy.[1] In 1944, while in the Navy, he played for the San Diego Naval Training Station Bluejackets.[15]
Stonebraker married Marjorie Frantz in May 1939 and they had a son;[10][16] he died on January 25, 2000, at the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center, at the age of 81.[17]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "John Stonebraker Stats". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
- ^ Singer, Jack (December 2, 1934). "Coaches, Officials and Players Select 1934 All-City Prep Football Eleven". Los Angeles Times. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Delmar Ingraham All City Team_LA Times_1 Dec 1935_p20". Newspapers.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2025. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
- ^ "Armistice Battle". Ventura County Star. November 11, 1936. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Trojans Praise Stonebraker". The San Francisco Examiner. Associated Press. September 13, 1938. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Cougars Workout in Coliseum for Game With Trojans". Anaheim Bulletin. October 14, 1938. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Southern California Yearly Results (1935–1939)". College Football Data Warehouse. David DeLassus. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
- ^ "Ready For 1939 Grid Campaign". The Press Democrat. September 6, 1939. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Shmelter, Richard J. (April 22, 2014). The USC Trojans Football Encyclopedia. McFarland, Incorporated, Publishers. p. 41. ISBN 9781476615110.
- ^ a b c d Pagel, Ray (June 20, 1942). "John Stonebraker Is Signed by Lambeau". Green Bay Press-Gazette. p. 11 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "1941 Hollywood Bears (PCFL)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
- ^ "1942 Green Bay Packers (NFL)". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved August 22, 2025.
- ^ "Tryouts For Mustang Eleven Slated Today". Los Angeles Times. September 8, 1943. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Stonebraker Joins L. A. Bulldogs". News-Pilot. December 10, 1943. p. 10 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Bruins Seek First Win Of Season". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. October 6, 1944. p. 15 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "John Stonebraker to Wed Sunday". Los Angeles Times. May 19, 1939. p. 40 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Names in the News". Los Angeles Times. January 27, 2000. p. 253 – via Newspapers.com.