John Don Looney (September 2, 1916 – April 5, 2015) was an American professional football end in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected in the eighth round of the 1940 NFL draft. He played three seasons for the Philadelphia Eagles (1940) and the Pittsburgh Steelers (1941–1942).
Looney set new NFL records for catches and yards in a single game during his 1940 rookie season and led the league in receiving yards, topping Packers player and Hall of Fame inductee Don Hutson.
Biography
Don Looney was born September 2, 1916, in Sulphur Springs, Texas.Associated Press, "Former Eagles and Steelers WR Looney dies at 98," AP News, apnews.com/, April 7, 2015.
Drafted into the NFL ahead of the 1940 season, Looney was the first receiver in NFL history to have over 100 yards receiving in each of his first two games, a feat which was not equaled until the 2008 NFL season by another Eagles wide receiver, DeSean Jackson. He also set new NFL records for most catches in a game (14) and most yards gained receiving in a single game (180) during the season.William Abbott, "1940 Records," Pro Football Illustrated: Fall 1941 Edition. Mt. Morris, IL: Elbak Publishing, 1941; p. 31. His 707 total yards gained receiving were the highest in the NFL for the 1940 season, topping the year of Hall of Fame Packers end Don Hutson.
Looney served in World War II for the United States Army after the 1942 season. He did not resume his professional football career after termination of the war, instead becoming an NFL official.
At the time of his death at the age of 98, Looney was the second oldest living former NFL player. He was the father of NFL running back Joe Don Looney, who died in a one-person motorcycle accident after his NFL career ended. Looney's partner was Linda Roark, whom he met in 1992.
NFL career statistics Legend Led the league Bold Career high
Year Team Games Receiving GP GS Rec Yds Avg Lng TD 1940 PHI 11 8 58 707 12.2 47 4 1941 PIT 9 0 10 186 18.6 66 1 1942 PIT 3 1 7 59 8.4 14 1 Career 23 9 75 952 12.7 66 6
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