Mickey Sanzotta

Dominic Franklin "Mickey" Sanzotta, sometimes known as "Dom" Sanzotta, was an American football player. He played college football for [Case Case Western Reserve Spartans football|Western Reserve Spartans football|Western Reserve] from 1938 to 1941 and professional football for the Detroit Lions in 1942 and 1946.

Early years

Sanzotta was born in 1921 at Geneva, Ohio. In 1937, he was captain of the Geneva High School football team, scored 63 of the team's 120 points, and led the team to its first Lake Shore League championship in 30 years.

Western Reserve

Sanzotta enrolled at Western Reserve University where he played college football from 1938 to 1941. He played halfback and was co-captain of the football team. He helped lead Western Reserve to consecutive conference championships in 1940 and 1941 and a victory over Arizona in the 1941 Sun Bowl. He was selected as the most valuable player inthe Big Four Conference for the 1941 season.

Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Naval

Sanzotta was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round in the 1942 NFL draft. He played for the Lions in 1942 and 1946. He was the Lions' leading rusher in 1942 with 268 rushing yards on 71 carries. He missed the 1943 to 1945 seasons while serving in the Navy during World War II. He played for the 1943 Jacksonville Naval Air Technical Training Center Air Raiders football team.

Later years

In 1986, Sanzotta was inducted into the Case Western Reserve University Athletics Hall of Fame. He died in 1999 at age 77 in Geneva, Ohio.