Tony Bova
| Date of birth | August 21, 1917 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |
| Date of death | October 15, 1973 (aged 56) |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | End, Halfback |
| US college | Saint Francis University |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1942 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| 1943 | "Steagles" |
| 1944 | Card-Pitt |
| 1945–1947 | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Career stats | |
| |
Tony Bova (born Anthony J. Bova) (August 21, 1917 – October 15, 1973)[1] was a professional football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers during the 1940s. He graduated from Kiski High School and then Saint Francis University, located in Loretto, Pennsylvania, in 1943.[2] He was 6'1" and weighed 190 pounds when he played for the Steelers during World War II, when they temporarily merged with the Philadelphia Eagles (in 1943) and Chicago Cardinals (in 1944) to form the "Steagles" and "Card-Pitt". He played end, halfback, and quarterback during his career from 1942 to 1947. [3]. In 1942 he also played left end on defense and in 1947 scored a safety.[4] In 1943 Bova led the NFL in average gain per completed pass in 1943, netting 419 yards in 19 completed aerials.[5] [6] In 1942 he wore numbers 31 and 41 and in 1943 number 85.[7]
He was also blind in one eye and partially blind in the other.[8]
Bova is also listed on the NFL honor roll, located at the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which lists the over 1,000 NFL personnel who served in the military during World War II.[9]
He is buried in the Mt. Royal Cemetery in Glenshaw, Pennsylvania.[1]
Notes
- ^ a b "Anthony J. Bova obituary". Beaver County Times. October 16, 1973. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- ^ 2005 Saint Francis University Alumni Directory, p. 307.
- ^ http://static.steelers.com/mediacontent/2009/08/24/06/All_Time_Roster_Name_09_108697.pdf
- ^ https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BovaTo20.htm
- ^ Dedman, Gordon. "1947 Pittsburgh Steelers". Steelers UK. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- ^ http://www.philadelphiaeagles.com/eagles_files/html/1940-1949_4.html
- ^ http://www.steelers.com/article/40479
- ^ maryrose (September 17, 2008). "Steagles: When the Steelers and Eagles were One in [sic] the Same". SB Nation: Behind the Steel Curtain. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
- ^ "Football and America: WW II Honor Roll". Pro Football Hall of Fame. January 1, 2005. Retrieved January 31, 2018.