John Toohey

Who was John Toohey?

John Peter Toohey was an American football player. A native of Kingston, New York, Toohey was "known as one of the best athletes Newburgh H. S. ever turned out." He enrolled at Rutgers University in 1910 and was a star athlete in both basketball and football. He played at the tackle position for the Rutgers football team from 1910 to 1914. In September 1912, The New York Times called Toohey "Rutgers' greatest tackle," and noted that Toohey's brother also planned to play at tackle for Rutgers. Toohey worked during the summer of 1913 building the Croton Aqueduct, and there was uncertainty as to whether he would return for another season of football. When he announced his intent to return to the gridiron, the New Brunswick Times reported: "Toohey Is Back Ready To Jump In The Game." In November 1913, Toohey was elected by his teammates as captain of Rutgers' 1914 football team. In December 1913, the Board of Managers at Rutgers ruled that Toohey was ineligible to play in 1914, having already played four seasons with the football team.