Johnny Olszewski (American football)

Johnny Olszewski
Olszewski c. 1959
No. 33, 36, 0
PositionsFullback
Halfback
Personal information
Born(1929-12-21)December 21, 1929
Washington, D.C., U.S.
DiedDecember 8, 1996(1996-12-08) (aged 66)
Long Beach, California, U.S.
Listed height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Listed weight200 lb (91 kg)
Career information
High schoolSt. Anthony (Long Beach)
CollegeCalifornia
NFL draft1953: 1st round, 4th overall pick
Career history
Awards and highlights
Career NFL/AFL statistics
Rushing yards3,320
Rushing average4
Rushing touchdowns16
Receptions104
Receiving yards988
Receiving touchdowns3
Stats at Pro Football Reference

John Peter Olszewski (December 21, 1929 – December 8, 1996) was an American professional football player who was a fullback in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected in the first round (fourth overall) of the 1953 NFL draft and played in the league for the Chicago Cardinals, the Washington Redskins and the Detroit Lions. He was selected to the Pro Bowl after the 1953 and 1955 seasons. Known as "Johnny O", he was among the first NFL players to wear the jersey number zero.

He concluded his career in the American Football League (AFL) with the Denver Broncos in 1962.

He played college football for the California Golden Bears, earning second-team All-American honors in 1952. He is still the No. 10 ground-gainer in school history with 2,504 yards.

He was inducted into the California Athletics Hall of Fame in 1993.

He is buried at All Souls cemetery in Long Beach.