Jon Anabo
Born: (1939-08-24) August 24, 1939 (age 84)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Career information
Position(s)QB[1]
Height6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight210 lb (95 kg)
CollegeVallejo / Fresno State
High schoolArmijo HS
AFL draft1963 / Round: 23 / Pick: 177
Drafted byOakland Raiders
NFL draft1962 / Round: 19 / Pick: 263
Drafted byCleveland Browns
Career history
As player
1963–1964Cleveland Browns*
1964–1965Edmonton Eskimos
*Off-season and/or practice squad only.

Johanes "Jon" S. Anabo (born August 24, 1939) is a former professional gridiron football quarterback who played for the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League (CFL). From 1964 to 1965, he played in 11 regular season games, passing for 803 yards, five touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Prior to playing for the Eskimos, Anabo played for the Fresno State Bulldogs and spent time on the practice squad of the Cleveland Browns from the National Football League (NFL).

While in college, Anabo was one of the top passing quarterbacks among West Coast programs. He played in tandem with fellow quarterback Beau Carter in 1961 and 1962 as he helped lead the Bulldogs to an undefeated season. Anabo was twice named to the All-West Coast team released by United Press International. Anabo was selected in the 19th round of the 1962 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns and the 23rd round of the 1963 AFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.

Early career

Anabo attended Armijo High School before going on to play college football at Vallejo Junior College (later renamed Solano Community College) from 1958 to 1960. While at Vallejo, Anabo also played baseball. In 2004, Anabo was inducted into the Solano Community College Hall of Fame.[2]

In 1961, Anabo transferred to Fresno State University to play for the Fresno State Bulldogs. The Bulldogs played two different units of offensive players, and Anabo split playing time with fellow quarterback Beau Carter.[3] He was credited for leading the Bulldogs to an upset victory of the University of the Pacific in the game's final seconds.[4] The Bulldogs had a perfect season in 1961 as Anabo passed for 454 yards and eight touchdowns.[5] Fresno State defeated the Bowling Green Falcons 36–6 in the Mercy Bowl,[6] and Anabo was named to the United Press International West Coast Small College All-Star team the following week.[7]

In 1962, Anabo and Carter were described as the "best 1-2 quarterback punch on the West Coast".[8] The duo ranked sixth in the nation in total passing yardage through the third week of November.[9] Anabo set new records for Fresno State in passing and was again named to the All-Coast team.[10][11] Anabo was selected for the All-American Bowl representing the Small Schools All-Star team, and the Small Schools won the annual game for the first time after Anabo scored a touchdown on a quarterback run in the fourth quarter.[12] He ended his college career with 96 completions on 178 attempted passes for 1,334 yards and 17 touchdowns.[13]

Anabo also participated in the high jump event for the track and field team at Fresno State.[14]

Professional career

Cleveland Browns

In 1962, the Cleveland Browns selected Anabo in the nineteenth round of the 1962 NFL Draft with the 263rd overall pick.[1] The Oakland Raiders of the American Football League selected Anabo the following year in the twenty-third round of the 1963 AFL Draft with the 177th overall pick.[15] Anabo chose to sign with the Browns in January 1963.[13] After attending training camp with the Browns, Anabo was placed on the practice squad for the entirety of the 1963 season.[16][17]

Anabo attempted to make the Browns' regular season roster in 1964. In his first drive with the Browns during a preseason game, Anabo threw a 74-yard touchdown pass to flanker Walter Roberts.[18] In September, the Browns released Anabo as part of their final roster cuts before the regular season.[19]

Edmonton Eskimos

After being released by the Browns, Anabo signed with the Edmonton Eskimos of the Canadian Football League. He played six regular season games for the Eskimos in 1964, passing for 621 yards with four touchdowns and seven interceptions.[1][20] By the end of the season, Anabo was starting for the Eskimos.[21] He played in five regular season games in 1965 but averaged only 3.9 yards per attempt.[1][20] In August, Anabo suffered a minor injury which he played through later in the month.[22] After starting the season with a 0–5 record, the Eskimos cut Anabo in late August.[23]

Later life

After retiring from professional football, Anabo coached high school football at Hoover High School.[24] After serving as a quarterback and receivers coach at Fresno State, Anabo started a career in broadcasting as a football color commentator.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Maher, Tod; Gill, Bob (2013). The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012. Maher Sports Media. p. 145. ISBN 978-0-9835136-6-7.
  2. ^ a b Scott, Timothy (October 24, 2004). "Solano Community College inducts 10 into HOF". Vallejo Times-Herald.
  3. ^ "Players, Officials Purchase Tickets To Aid Cal Poly Memorial Drive". Herald and News. Klamath Falls, Oregon. UPI. November 23, 1961. p. 22. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  4. ^ "West Coast Grid Heroes". The Daily Herald. Provo, Utah. UPI. October 9, 1961. p. 7. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  5. ^ Kahn, Alex (November 23, 1961). "Top Teams Battle In Mercy Bowl". News-Journal. Mansfield, Ohio. p. 45. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  6. ^ "Bowling Green Falls 36–6 In Mercy Bowl". The Times Recorder. Zanesville, Ohio. UPI. November 24, 1961. p. 14. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  7. ^ "Grider, Nixon win All-Coast honors". Redlands Daily Facts. Redlands, California. November 29, 1961. p. 18. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  8. ^ "Wildcats Face Big Aerial Game Against Fresno St". Abilene Reporter-News. Abilene, Texas. October 2, 1962. p. 31. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  9. ^ "Fresno State Bulldogs Face Montana Bobcats". The Bakersfield Californian. Bakersfield, California. November 24, 1962. p. 21. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  10. ^ "Promoters Hope for Profit – And Small Schools Victory". The San Bernardino County Sun. San Bernardino, California. AP. December 29, 1962. p. 11. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  11. ^ "Fresno State Puts Three On All-Star". Herald and News. Klamath Falls, Oregon. UPI. November 28, 1962. p. 11. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  12. ^ "'Smalls' Post 14–13 Victory in All-America". Statesman Journal. Salem, Oregon. AP. December 30, 1962. p. 5. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  13. ^ a b "Ex-Hawk Gridder Signs With Browns". Santa Cruz Sentinel. Santa Cruz, California. AP. January 9, 1963. p. 8. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  14. ^ "Triangular Won By Oregon State". The Eugene Guard. Eugene, Oregon. April 15, 1962. p. 13. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  15. ^ "AFL Finally Picks Terry Baker 12th". The Racine Journal-Times Sunday Bulletin. Racine, Wisconsin. AP. December 2, 1962. p. 26. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  16. ^ "Browns Set Rook Camp". News-Journal. Mansfield, Ohio. AP. July 7, 1963. p. 24. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  17. ^ "Sport Thinks". The Fresno Bee. Fresno, California. August 18, 1963. p. 46. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  18. ^ "Anabo Throws TD Pass In Brown Romp Over LA Rams". The Fresno Bee. Fresno, California. UPI. August 16, 1964. p. 53. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  19. ^ "Browns Drop Jon Anabo". The Fresno Bee. Fresno, California. UPI. September 8, 1964. p. 34. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  20. ^ a b Maher, Tod; Gill, Bob (2013). The Canadian Pro Football Encyclopedia: Every Player, Coach and Game, 1946–2012. Maher Sports Media. p. 568. ISBN 978-0-9835136-6-7.
  21. ^ "Anabo Earns Job". The Fresno Bee. Fresno, California. October 15, 1964. p. 29. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  22. ^ "Roughies, Esks Will Need Good Luck Charms Today". The Brandon Sun. Brandon, Manitoba. CP. August 13, 1965. p. 7. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  23. ^ "Esks Cut Jon Anabo". The Ottawa Journal. Ottawa, Ontario. CP. August 28, 1965. p. 20. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  24. ^ "Stars For The West". The Fresno Bee. Fresno, California. November 27, 1973. p. 44. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
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