John Reger

John George Reger, a National Football League linebacker, was born September 11, 1931, in Wheeling, West Virginia, and died September 19, 2013, in Tampa, Florida. He attended Linsley Military Institute in Wheeling, where he played fullback and linebacker. In 1949 he was named captain of the All-Ohio Valley Conference team and earned All-Valley and All-City honors. He married Janice McCray in 1950.

Reger received a scholarship to the University of Pittsburgh. His freshman team went undefeated in 1950, but after he joined the varsity the following year, a knee injury in the third game ended his college football and academic career. He left college early and worked for five years at a Wheeling gas station.

In 1955, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed him. Over a 12-year career he played for the Steelers and the Washington Redskins and was selected to three Pro Bowls.

In 1993, he was inducted into the Upper Ohio Valley Dapper Dan Hall of Fame.