Joe Domnanovich

Joseph John "Joe" Domnanovich (born March 18, 1919 in South Bend, Indiana - died January 20, 2009 in Birmingham) was a football player who starred for the Alabama Crimson Tide from 1939 to 1943. He served in the Army during World War II and worked for U. S. Steel until his retirement.

A graduate of Riley High School in Indiana, Domnanovich was recruited to Alabama by coach Frank W. Thomas. He earned three varsity letters at center and defensive line and was a consensus All-American during his senior season. He scored a safety to help the Tide win the 1943 Orange Bowl over Boston College and was named to that bowl's All-Time team. He also has a spot in the Alabama All-Time Team for the first 50 years (1892-1942).

During World War II, Domnanovich served as a PT instructor and organized sports events for overseas soldiers. When he returned he played professional football with the Boston Yanks (1946-48), the New York Bulldogs (1949) and the New York Yanks (1950).

After leaving professional sports, Domnanovich took a job at U. S. Steel in Fairfield, retiring as supervisor of the hot-strip mill in 1981.

Domnanovich was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Indiana Sports Hall of Fame in 1989. He died at Princeton Baptist Medical Center in January 2009 and is interred at Elmwood Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, Elizabeth, one son and two grandchildren.

References

• "Joseph John Domnanovich" obituary. (January 22, 2009) The Birmingham News