John Francis Shirk (June 24, 1917 – November 11, 1993) was an American professional football player who was an end and defensive end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners and was selected in the fourth round of the 1940 NFL draft.^[1] He played one season for the Chicago Cardinals. During World War II, he served as a captain in the field artillery. During the invasion of Salerno, he was captured and held in the German prisoner of war camp Oflag 64 in Poland.