Ben Pucci facts for kids
Pucci while with the Cleveland Browns in 1948
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| No. 42, 45 | |||
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| Position: | Tackle | ||
| Personal information | |||
| Born: | January 26, 1925 St. Louis, Missouri |
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| Died: | July 7, 2013 (aged 88) San Antonio, Texas |
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| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||
| Weight: | 255 lb (116 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: | Southwest (St. Louis) | ||
| College: | None | ||
| Career history | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||
Benito Modesto "Ben" Pucci (born January 26, 1925 – died July 7, 2013) was an American football player. He played as a tackle. Pucci played for three different teams. These teams were the Buffalo Bisons, Chicago Rockets, and Cleveland Browns. He played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) from 1946 to 1948.
Ben Pucci grew up in St. Louis, Missouri. He went to high school there. He did not go to college. In 1948, he played for the Cleveland Browns. That year, the Browns had a perfect season. They won the AAFC championship. After football, Pucci worked in transportation. He passed away in San Antonio, Texas, in 2013.
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Early Life and High School Football
Ben Pucci grew up in a neighborhood called The Hill in St. Louis. This area is known for its Italian American history. He went to Southwest High School.
He played on the school's varsity football team for four years. He was named an all-district and all-city player. After high school, Pucci did not go to college. In 1944, he played for the Hollywood Rangers. This team was part of the short-lived American Football League.
Ben Pucci's Professional Football Career
In 1945, Ben Pucci had a chance to play for the Cleveland Rams. This team was in the National Football League. He decided not to join them. The Rams later won the 1945 NFL championship that year.
Pucci joined the Buffalo Bisons in 1946. This was the first year of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). He played as a tackle in 11 games. The Bisons only won three games that season.
In 1947, Pucci moved to the Chicago Rockets. This was another AAFC team. He played in 13 of their 14 games. The Rockets had a tough season. They won only one game. Their final win–loss record was 1–13.
Playing for the Cleveland Browns
In early 1948, Pucci was traded to the Cleveland Browns. The Browns traded tackle Roman Piskor for him. They also gave up the rights to draft Pete Ashbaugh. Pucci played 12 games for the Browns.
The Cleveland Browns had an amazing year. They went undefeated. They also won their third AAFC championship in a row.
In 1949, the Baltimore Colts bought Pucci. They also bought two other tackles from the Browns. Pucci played for the Colts for the first five games. He then left the team. This happened after he and other players were asked to take less pay.
Life After Football
After leaving the Colts, Ben Pucci stopped playing football. He started a new career. He worked in the transportation business. His job took him to different places. He lived in California, Missouri, and South Bend, Indiana.
Finally, in 1980, he settled in San Antonio, Texas. In the 1960s, he was a color commentator. He helped announce games for the St. Louis Cardinals football team. Ben Pucci passed away in San Antonio in 2013. He had two sons and a daughter with his wife, Shirley. Pucci is honored on the walk of fame in The Hill in St. Louis.
