 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2014) |
 Butkovich carrying ball behind blocking from Buscemi (50) and Kasap (64) in 1943 | |
| No. 25 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Fullback |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | April 4, 1921 St. David, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died: | April 18, 1945 (aged 24) Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, Japanese Empire |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Lewistown (IL) |
| College: | Purdue |
| NFL draft: | 1944 / round: 1 / pick: 11 |
| Career history | |
| |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Anthony J. Butkovich (April 4, 1921 – April 18, 1945) was a Croatian-American football fullback from the University of Illinois and spent his last year at Purdue. He was drafted by the Cleveland Rams in the first round of the 1944 NFL draft.
Instead of going to the Rams he enlisted in the US Marines and fought in World War II. While serving as a Marine in the 6th Division on Guadalcanal he participated in the Mosquito Bowl.[1] He lived through the war and lived a fruitful life. He had no children but his spirit lives on in his great nephew Anthony (named after him) and his other nieces and nephews.
- ^ Daniel, Douglass K. (September 19, 2022). "1944 Marine 'Mosquito Bowl' defines football, courage, duty". Navy Times. Retrieved September 20, 2022.