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In addition, Matuszak was a pneumonia patient and had an enlarged heart, which also added to the cause of his death. A preliminary police investigation found no signs of foul play, said a police spokesman. His first major role was in the 1979 movie North Dallas Forty as a football player. His teammates tried to rouse him, but he was unresponsive. In the CareUnit at Cedars-Sinai he left halfway through a one-month program and headed straight for a doctor's office, where he tried to obtain a prescription. The team was seen as a bunch of rebels, and Matuszak's similar attitude and outlook were a perfect match. This is when Matuszak believed his "bad guy" reputation began: The Tooz wanted out, but a trade was out of the question, so he knew he had to force the Oilers' hand. Ian Reso, both of Virginia Beach; a stepdaughter, Patricia Lee Reso of Chicago, and one grandchild. He prayed to stop growing, but he only grew taller. His second season in Houston ended before it ever started. In 1974, while he was still playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, he upset his wife, so she tried to run him over with their Cadillac convertible. In his delightful and salacious biography, Sir Tooz summarizes his day job simply: "Football is a violent game and best played with a violent frame of mind." For one thing, the Oilers were then the worst team in the NFL. But his father, who had no interest in sports, showed him no affection he attended only one of John's games. When John lived in Houston he was playing for the Kansas City Cheifs and I dated him for a few months.He was kind and I cared for him alot.He did do alot of cocaine and that was why I quit dating him.Still I think of him often.I`m sure he is happy in his eternal life. John Matuszak led a life of excesses, regardless of his physical pain. John Daniel Matuszak (October 25, 1950 June 17, 1989) was an American football defensive end in the National Football League who later became an actor. Cohen's reaction is captured forever in the movie. He signed up to play with the upstart World Football League's Houston Texans (no relation to the current team of the same name). It was Jakes first football game. Shaddock in 1979 in North Dallas Forty followed by Tonda in the 1981 film Caveman and the deformed Sloth in the 1985 movie The Goonies. She was also a member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church in Silver Spring. John Daniel Tooz Matuszak was an American professional football defensive lineman in the National Football League and One thing most of the actors who worked with Matuszak had to say about him was that he was a genuine pleasure to work with. Seven years later, Matuszak would join Belushi on the list of actors who died in their prime. 42, Order of the Eastern Star. Even though he was under contract with his current team, he decided to sign a second contract with the Houston Texans in the World Football League, which seems a bit logistically problematic, but he was The Tooz, so maybe he just figured he could pummel his way through any and all consequences. But when it came to John Matuszak, trouble seemed to follow him wherever he went. Matuszak's life was a multifaceted one. According to author Kevin Cook, Matuszak fled to a nearby cemetery and hid behind a gravestone. (His draft status didn't do anything for Tampa's football program. The rest of his estate, $230,000 in personal property, $217,000 in real property and $10,000 in income from that property, was left to his mother and his sisters, Karen and Dawn Matuszak. Survivors include his wife, Louise B. Griffith of Alexandria; a son, E. Wayne, of Leesburg; a daughter, Earlene L. Walton of Arlington, Tex. The Raiders ended up taking down the Vikings in Super Bowl XI. Shaddock in the 1979 filmNorth Dallas Forty. Later that year, as a free agent, Matuszak signed with the Raiders. He attended the University of Tampa and played for their football team. Matuszakdied at the age of 38on 17 June 1989. According tosportscasting.com, Matuszak also had a life-threatening incident before his death. On June 17, 1989, John Matuszak died at age 38. He wasn't allowed to leave the set, for fear of outsiders seeing him in costume, so he did a lot of sitting around. [10] He was only 38 years old. Sadly, Matuszak died of a drug overdose at the age of 38: His life was fully lived, but way too short. and "The Fall Guy." He was stricken at his home and was taken by paramedics to the hospital, where he died at 9:39 p.m., a hospital spokesman said. Matuszak was born in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Matuszakdebuted in filmsas O.W. Darvocet was eventually banned by the FDAin 2010 for having dangerous side effects. In Matuszak's first season,the Raiders won their first Super Bowl title, and Matuszak played a big part in that victory. With Devine leaving Missouri for the Green Bay Packers that same year, Matuszak no longer had a spot on the team, and his scholarship was revoked by new head coach Al Onofrio. Matuszak was notorious for sneaking women into his room at training camp and even somehow onto the team plane. Matuszak's other notable movies are One Crazy Summer (1986), Ghost Writer (1989), The Princess and the Dwarf (1989), and many others.His last movie, Down the Drain, was released in 1990, after his demise. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,600],'biographyhost_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_2',164,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-biographyhost_com-medrectangle-4-0'); For formal education, his parents enrolled him at Oak Creek High School. Matuszak also did a three day stint in jail for carrying a concealed weapon. His aggressive play and tough attitude embodied the spirit of the Oakland Raiders in the years they were called the Evil Empire and helped win the team Super Bowl victories in the 1976 and 1980 seasons. He lived in Alexandria. And when he misbehaved so blatantly that they couldn't really ignore what he'd done, they usually just laughed about it. Kent State's standouts included future Hall of Fame linebacker Jack Lambert and Gary Pinkel, who coached Missouri from 2001-15.Another Golden Flashes senior, future six-time national championship coach Nick Saban, suffered a season-ending injury in October. Unfortunately, both his brothers died at an early age due to a disease called cystic fibrosis. After sitting out the 1982 season in Los Angeles, where the Raiders moved that year, with an injury, he retired to pursue full time an acting career in which he had dabbled while a player. Alabama guard John Hannah, selected fourth by the New England Patriots, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991, his first year of eligibility, following a 13-year career, while quarterback Bert Jones (Baltimore Colts), offensive tackle Jerry Sisemore, tight end Charle Young (Philadelphia Eagles), and defensive tackle Dave Butz (St. Louis Cardinals) were all prominent throughout the rest of the 1970s and into the 1980s. Matuszak actually came close to recovering and making a comeback, but he reinjured himself in 1983 trying to dodge a puppy on a beach. Wiggin got into the ambulance with Matuszak and pounded on his chest until he came around, accomplishing what the paramedics could not. He was born in October 25, 1950, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, United States. As a kid, John Matuszak was still growing into his body. As a result, the city kid's world was rocked when his family moved to rural Oak Creek, Wisconsin. A Girl Scout herself from 1924 until 1933, Mrs. Spencer later was an official and volunteer with the organization in Massachusetts from the mid-1930s until 1943. If you know too much about a guy, you tend to prejudge him, to hold his past against him. Without any training in acting, youd probably expect him to be a bit of a novelty in one or two bad productions before people realized he had no talent. By using our Services, you agree to our use of cookies. His net worth is USD $4 million (approx) in 2021. The winning continued, and they got back to the promised land in 1979 for Super Bowl XV in New Orleans. Following his sophomore season at Mizzou, Matuszak transferred to the University of Tampa, where he became the star of their football team. He attended the University of Tampa and played for their football team. Matuszak was always big for his age, which became an advantage as a defensive lineman in football. Matuszak was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Audrey and Marvin Matuszak. Mr. Matuszak's lawyer argued that he was being made a scapegoat because of his fame and financial success. Sloth was a 1980s icon, as beloved as E.T. From Times Wire Services. Unfortunately, though, for the real Sloth there was no happy ending. Mrs. Spencer was a native of Putney, Vt., and a graduate of the American International College in Springfield, Mass. Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on October 25, 1950, Matuszak grew up playing football as a defensive end. to add information, pictures and relationships, join in discussions and get credit for your contributions. An autopsy was inconclusive and further tests were scheduled. Fresh out of college, Matuszaks drug use was so outrageous that his teammates called him John Glenn, like the famous astronaut because he was often flying high. So despite his massive frame and incredible talent on the field, his football career was extremely rocky. She has been married to LeVar Burton since 3 October 1992. Matuszakbecame the NFL's first pickof the Houston Oilers in 1973. [4], In 1976, the Chiefs traded Matuszak to the Washington Redskins, but he was released soon afterward. (The judge ultimately ruled in Matuszak's favor.) According to the LA Times, in one incident, The Tooz got into a semi-kidding argument with assistant coach Terry Robiskie, who was also a former teammate. In addition, Matuszak was a pneumonia patient and had an enlarged heart, which also added to the cause of his death. But John Matuszak was only 38 when he died, so maybe he needed a few more years. The trade was a steal for Houston, where Culp became a Hall of Fame performer when coach Bum Phillips moved Culp to nose tackle in the 3-4 defense in 1975. Hisfirst lead rolecame in the 1985 adventure comedy filmThe Goonies. After that, Matuszak was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs, who traded him to the Washington Redskins, who cut him just two weeks later, at the end of the 1976 preseason. At 39 years old, John Matuszak height It was like a milestone for him. A former girlfriend who talked to John Matuszak last Friday said the football player-turned-actor had tried hard in recent years to overcome widely publicized drug and alcohol problems . He then engaged in the private practice of law in Washington until becoming an administrative law judge. Later during World War II, she served with the Coast Guard in Charleston, S.C. She moved to Silver Spring in 1956 and continued with the Scouts here as a troop leader trainer, a troop leader and as a member of the board of directors of the Girl Scout Council of the Nation's Capital in the early 1980s. He starred in North Dallas Forty, which is regarded by many as one of the best football movies ever made. He is most remembered for His best known role was as the deformed Sloth in the 1985 movie "The Goonies".. His zodiac sign is Scorpio. John Matuszak has not been elected into the Hall of Fame. Their disrespect motivated him to develop into a muscular young man, and Matuszak became the Wisconsin Class A state champion in the shot put with a throw of 58ft 11in (17.96m). But along with his Herculean proportions came a similarly epic drug and alcohol problem. Matuszak was 6'8" and 280 pounds, so they pretended they didn't know about the vodka and Valium and made him a Raider. Nothing seemed able to stop the other kids from teasing him incessantly. You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times. So even then, The Tooz had a reputation for drink and debauchery, though it would only get worse as the years passed. An article written for Sports Illustrated' s website in January 2005 named him one of the top five all-time "bad boys" of the NFL. Two of his little brothers died of it: Christopher after two months of life, and David at the age of two years. Matuszak's days of losing were over: One season in, and he was already Super Bowl bound. Still, he was happy to be free of the painkillers, and being black and blue on Mondays. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2022-2023. C. GRANT STETTER FBI Agent, Administrative Law Judge C. Grant Stetter, 74, a former Washington lawyer and FBI agent who served as an administrative law judge with the Social Security Administration in Flint, Mich., from 1973 to 1982, died June 10 at a hospital in Shallotte, N.C., after stroke. His football career was often overshadowed by his lifestyle. He was the first overall pick in the 1973 NFL Draft and played most of his career with the Oakland Raiders until he retired after winning his second Super Bowl in 1981. Actor: The Goonies. He didn't know what was happening at the time and wanted to avoid confrontation. Why is Frank McCourt really pushing it? Once, he stayed clean for 89 days, and then fell off the wagon just one day short of his goal. Ironically, it was Paul Wiggin, the Chief's coach, who saved his life and then traded him to the Washington Redskins just seven days after he was released from the hospital. Matuszak later moved to the University of Missouri on a football scholarship and represented the Missouri Tigers in his sophomore college year. A defensive lineman from the University of Tampa, Matuszak was the Houston Oilers' number one pick in the 1973 draft. He was an accountant with Air Cargo Inc. of Washington for 35 years until he retired in 1979. Matuszak was selected to the All-American Team 1972. ), High school baseball: Southern Section playoff pairings, Dig this: Long Beach States Mason Briggs could be next big thing at libero, Kentucky Derby storylines: Training death puts early pall over Churchill Downs, Dodgers vs. Philadelphia Phillies: How to watch, start times and betting odds, Elliott: Pissed off Kings must improve in key areas to break Oilers playoff stranglehold. John Matuszak is a most popular American Actor, Football Player. In June of 1989, it appeared that John Matuszak did "go back.". One of these walking object lessons was John Belushi. Death should have feared John Matuszak. His best known role was as the deformed Sloth in the 1985 movie The Goonies. How many men get to work under the genius of both John Madden and Steven Spielberg? After Wiggin personally pounded on Matuszaks chest until he started breathing again, he booted him as quickly as possible, Next, Matuszak was picked up by the Washington Redskins. His battles with the church arent over, 17 SoCal hiking trails that are blooming with wildflowers (but probably not for long! Matuszak was taken from his Los Angeles home to St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank on Saturday night suffering apparent massive heart failure, said Hospital spokeswoman Terri G . If you were an '80s kid and you didn't know about John "The Tooz" Matuszak who was just as famous for his hard-partying, loud, larger-than-life persona as he was for his football game you definitely knew about his alter-ego, the enormous, gentle, unconventionally-featured Sloth, who was the face of the 1985 classic Goonies. 7; past master of the Alexandria Washington Lodge No. [1], After a freshman year playing football at Fort Dodge Junior College in Iowa, Matuszak was recruited to the University of Missouri by Dan Devine. John Matuszak was in a relationship with Stephanie Cozart Burton (1980 - 1989).. About. The following season, the Raiders weren't able to repeat their success, and by 1982, Tooz's body was telling him it was time to wrap up his career, even if he didn't want to. John Matuszak was 6-8 (203 cm) tall. He then transferred to the University of Missouri for Coach Dan Devine, with whom he had a tough relationship. Sloth was played by actor John Matuszak, who was a football player before moving into acting. He also couldn't have asked for a better coach either, as he finally found one he could respect and play even harder for: The one and only John Madden. He enjoyed the company of kids, but afterwards, they made him feel depressed. Known by the nickname The Tooz, the 68, 280 pound athlete was initially a hot prospect and was the first overall draft pick of the year in 1973. John Matuszak was born on October 25, 1950, in Oak Creek, Wisconsin, United States He grew up there with his Family. During his days with the Raiders, the team mostly turned a blind eye to John Matuszak's antics. Before he made his way to the silver screen as Sloth, John Matuszak was a professional football player. John Matuszak was an American actor and football player. In 1981, Matuszak made headlines for partying the night before the Raiders' second Super Bowl victory. Matuszak actually met John Belushi five days before Belushi died, and saw how bent out of shape he was. A social outcast due to his unusual height (by adulthood, he stood 6'8 tall . In addition to his contract with the Oilers, he joined the Houston Texans of the World Football League (WFL), playing a total of seven plays before a restraining order was served to him during a game, barring him from playing for two teams at the same time. I think about the game plan, and then I go through all the little things that are almost impossible to do. He regularly took the drugs to keep away severe back pains. His first major role was in the 1979 movie North Dallas Forty as a football player. But afterward, he gradually began to fall back into his hard-partying ways. OnJune 17, 1989, he accidentallyoverdosed on Darvocet, a combination of Tylenol and a painkiller called propoxyphene. [5][6], Matuszak's football career was often overshadowed by his lifestyle. Sign in Thursday, June 2, 2022; WIKISPRO . In 1974, while he was still playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, he upset his wife, so she tried to run him over with their Cadillac convertible. After an injury, John Matuszak sat out the 1982 season and then decided to retire from football and pursue an acting career. During one of his football training camps, he added Valium to his beer, which nearly killed him. Mr. Matuszak also wrote his autobiography, "Cruisin' With The Tooz." Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Kentucky Derby draw finds favorite Forte in a nice spot in the middle, Lakers-Warriors series: Plenty of story lines, but LeBron vs. Steph is No.