John Beckett

Bio

John Beckett was described by a sports writer as "a man who can play any position on a football team." He was a tackle for Oregon 1913-1916. In his senior season he was the team captain, did the punting, and sometimes played halfback. Against Oregon State he carried the ball 20 times and gained 100 yards. Oregon was chosen to play in the Rose Bowl and beat Pennsylvania 14-0. Among Beckett's opponents in the Pennsylvania lineup were Lou Little, who became a Hall of Fame coach, and Bert Bell, who became commissioner of pro football. Beckett punted eight times for an average of 42 yards in the game. Beckett joined the Marines during his senior year in college. He was assigned to the marine base at Mare Island, California, and was on the football team. Again he was tackle, captain, and punter. And again he played in the Rose Bowl, as Mare Island defeated Camp Lewis 19-7. Both of Beckett's teams, Oregon in 1916, and Mare Island in 1917, were undefeated. He is the only man to captain two different Rose Bowl teams. Hugo Bezdek was his coach at Oregon and Mare Island, and Bezdek later coached a Penn State team which played in the Rose Bowl January 1, 1923. He served 50 years in the Marines, reaching the rank of brigadier general. He coached Marine teams at Mare Island 1920, Quantico 1921-1924, San Diego 1925, 1931-32, with a record of 56-19-3. He was assistant coach at Navy 1926-1928.

Career Highlights

• 1916 All-West Coast
• 1916 Third Team All-America