Where are they now: Johnny Musso

[Tide&True]

Johnny Musso was my favorite player when I was in high school. I loved his heart and passion for the game. I remember sending him some drawings I had made of him and he sent back a nice thank you note.

I know he use to live in Chicago and had a son at Northwestern a few years ago. Does he get back to see Alabama play? Anyone know what he is up to currently?

 

[theBIGyowski]

Italian Stallion

My sister is a junior at UofA this fall. Her freshman year, she lived in Harris...across the street from the stadium. I know that Johnny Musso's daughter lived down the hall from her. I actually got to meet him when everyone was moving their things in the dorms. He was very polite and friendly. He also still appeard to be in very good shape. He even helped my dad and I carry carpet up 2 flights of stairs...so my sister wouldn't have to have cold floors...and we couldn't have done it without his help. That's about all I know. My dad told me what Musso was up to these days...but I have forgotten since that was 2 years ago.

RTR!!!

 

[Tide&True]

My sister is a junior at UofA this fall. Her freshman year, she lived in Harris...across the street from the stadium. I know that Johnny Musso's daughter lived down the hall from her. I actually got to meet him when everyone was moving their things in the dorms. He was very polite and friendly. He also still appeard to be in very good shape. He even helped my dad and I carry carpet up 2 flights of stairs...so my sister wouldn't have to have cold floors...and we couldn't have done it without his help. That's about all I know. My dad told me what Musso was up to these days...but I have forgotten since that was 2 years ago.

Wow....what an honor to be able to talk to him. I know he played before your time but believe me there is not a football player anywhere that symbolizes the college game of football more than Johnny Musso. If you ever get a chance to see old footage of him playing you should do so. My parents took me to see Alabama play Miami (back when they weren't so hot) and Johnny litterally ran 50 yards on one play and at the end jumped over a Miami player that was waiting for him at the endzone.

 

[theBIGyowski]

I've seen game videos...

of him back in his playing days. I also have an autographed football from Johnny Musso that my dad won in a raffle. As for the game videos I have seen...yeah...Johnny Musso was a treat to watch. He was the epitomy of hard work and dedication. He was so hard to tackle because no matter your physical abilities, you had to work harder to bring him down than he was trying to get past you...which was very hard. The Italian Stallion is part of the Crimson Tradition and he's someone we will be able to talk about for generations to come.

RTR!!!

 

[CrimsonMask]

Musso was my dad's favorite player too. I found the SI with Musso on the cover and mailed it to JM. I asked him to autograph it to my dad. I included another envelope that was already addressed and stamped so all he would have to do is sign it, slide it in the envelope and raise the flag on his mailbox. I got it back about two weeks later signed:

To Leon,
Roll Tide!
Best Wishes,
Johnny Musso

A very cool gift if I do say so myself. My dad liked it very much.

 

[BamerMan]

Johnny Musso
In the classroom and on the football field, Johnny Musso was an All-American. He was named first team All-America as a junior and consensus All-America as a senior. He finished fourth in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1971 and was named Player of the Year by Football News, the Touchdown Club of Atlanta, and the Miami Touchdown Club.

Nobody could touch Musso in the Southeastern Conference as he twice led the conference in rushing, gaining 1,137 yards in 1970 and 1,088 yards in 1971. He was an all-conference selection in 1970 and 1971 and led the conference in scoring in 1971 with 100 points. He was awarded the American Football Coaches Association Ernie Davis Award in 1972. Musso currently ranks second in Alabama school history with 34 career rushing touchdowns and third with 2,741 yards rushing. He held the touchdown mark for 27 years before Shaun Alexander broke it last season. He is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame.

Academically, Musso was named all-conference three times and All-America twice and, after his senior season, he was honored as a National Football Foundation National Scholar-Athlete. He went on to play professional football in Canada and later with the Chicago Bears. Currently the owner and president of Schreiner-Musso Trading Company, Musso resides in Hinsdale, Illinois.

 

[Crimson Surfer]

To this day when I see the Crimson 22 jersey I still think of Musso. He was a great player and will always be a part of the rich history of Crimson Tide Football.

Nobody could catch 22!

 

[Tide&True]

To this day when I see the Crimson 22 jersey I still think of Musso. He was a great player and will always be a part of the rich history of Crimson Tide Football.

Thanks for the pic CS. In my closet at home I still have the number 22 jersey I wore in high school. I don't think I will ever forget how he ran all over Auburn back in '70 or '71. As I recall he had over 200 yards all by himself!!!!

 

[Texas Tider]

I know Johnny fairly well. My step-dad Frank is Johnny's brother.

I remember the first time I met him, I was 16 years old. The family loaded into a huge blue Ford van and drove from Anniston, Alabama up to Johnny's place around Chicago. The thing that really struck me about Johnny is just how humble he is. A couple of times during that week we were up there, people would stop Johnny and want to talk to him about football and his accomplishments, but he always seemed a bit uncomfortable in those situations. He certainly isn't egotistical my any means.

I don't get to see Johnny much at all because we are so far apart. I invited him to my wedding a few years ago, but he couldn't come. Probaby a good thing because I'm sure my wife wouldn't have been happy about everyone watching Johnny instead of her! Probably would have happened knowing my Dad and my friends.

The thing is, his whole family is just like him. His two brothers and his sister are just as nice as he is. They must have gotten it from their mother, because she was the sweetest woman ever. Sadly, Grandma Musso passed away a couple of weeks ago. She always had a smile on her face and she just loved being around peope, and we all miss her very much.

 

[BigTex]

I know Johnny fairly well. My step-dad Frank is Johnny's brother.

I remember the first time I met him, I was 16 years old. The family loaded into a huge blue Ford van and drove from Anniston, Alabama up to Johnny's place around Chicago. The thing that really struck me about Johnny is just how humble he is. A couple of times during that week we were up there, people would stop Johnny and want to talk to him about football and his accomplishments, but he always seemed a bit uncomfortable in those situations. He certainly isn't egotistical my any means.

I don't get to see Johnny much at all because we are so far apart. I invited him to my wedding a few years ago, but he couldn't come. Probaby a good thing because I'm sure my wife wouldn't have been happy about everyone watching Johnny instead of her! Probably would have happened knowing my Dad and my friends.

The thing is, his whole family is just like him. His two brothers and his sister are just as nice as he is. They must have gotten it from their mother, because she was the sweetest woman ever. Sadly, Grandma Musso passed away a couple of weeks ago. She always had a smile on her face and she just loved being around peope, and we all miss her very much.

Wonderful Memory. Thanks for Sharing !!

 

[oskie]

Thanks guys!

Thanks for the flashback, I have fond memories of Musso

BTW, does anyone know why he wasn't part of the Legends Reunion video?

.

 

[TommyMac]

The first time I saw him was on Coach Bryant's show. Him and 4-5 other prize recruits were there. I was kinda shocked, I'd heard all the talk about this stud RB from Birmingham and JM didn't look the part. He looked like a junior HS kid up there behind Coach Bryant and John Forney, had a grin from ear to ear. My Mom just fell in love with him, she thought he was the cutest thing. I think he supposedly weighed about 180, but he sure didn't look it and that was back when the linemen didn't weigh but about 200 lbs.

Sure didn't take me long to change my mind about him. Nobody played harder than Johnny or had more heart. He was just as good a blocker than he was a runner too. Too bad we didn't move to the wishbone earlier in his career. The wishbone was made for him. Great player, unselfish, great student and pure class. He was almost too good to be true. Not surprised to hear that his Mom was so special, Coach Bryant often bragged on her cooking.

Terrell Owens could learn a lot from Johnny Musso.

 

[Tide&True]

I wish some of the current Bama players could read what is being written here. It shows that character matters. Isn't it wonderful that we can look over Johnny's career as a player and even his being a quality individual and not have to have it ruined by some stupid act or careless remark he made.

Playing the game like a winner and champion never goes out of style.

 

[gomerpyle]

Johnny's career after football

I *think* that JM has spent most of his post-football career as a floor trader -- I'm thinking probably at the Chicago Board of Trade, but I may be mistaken about that part. Several years ago I met another trader from Chicago, and this fellow knew JM. I have the impression, not surprising to anyone here I am sure, that JM was extremely successful. I don't know whether he is still in this line of business. Maybe my post will generate a reply from someone who is more familiar with the specifics than I am.

 

[FitToBeTide]

I was at the University while Johnny was there. Folks, he was a sight to behold. For those of you who were there and got to see him run the ball, like me, you can still see him as if it were yesterday. He would run so hard sometimes his body couldn't keep up with his legs and he would be flying all over the place. He was really hard to bring down with just one lick. Any lone tackler, even with a solid lick, couldn't stop him cold. Legs flying and he would scrap for another 3, 4, or 5 yards. His body took a major beating every single game. He never quit....ever.

Sorry so many of our younger fans never got to see him play, at least in person.

All heart. All class. All American. Coach loved him and the Bama Nation did too. We lost one of our great players when he graduated.

I think he came down to T-town for a golf tournament back in the spring. Someone shared some pics on Crimson Tradition and he was in attendence, I believe.

:biga2:

 

[mako]

To this day when I see the Crimson 22 jersey I still think of Musso. He was a great player and will always be a part of the rich history of Crimson Tide Football.



Nobody could catch 22!

+1 for me too
Saw him play several times, back in the days we used to dress to go to a game. When was the last time you saw a sport jacket and tie at a game?

 

[TiderJack]

The Italian Stallion was one of my top 5 Bryant era players. He had a monster game against Auburn when we were both undefeated and we kicked the Barns butts 31-7. Hoping to a similar scenario this Friday.

 

[kyallie]

One of my fondest memaries of the Bryant era,The Italian Stallion!

 

[derek4tide]

YouTube - Johnny Musso stopping by the Bryant Museum

 

[derek4tide]

A great read on Johnny from 2009:

Touchdown Club: Johnny Musso "The Italian Stallion" relates "The Best Of Times Under The Most Favorable Conditions" | Jackson Advocate | Find Articles at BNET