John Nesser (April 25, 1875 – July 29, 1931) was a German-American professional American football player in the "Ohio League" and the early National Football League (NFL) for the Columbus Panhandles. He was also the oldest member of the Nesser brothers, a group consisting of seven brothers who made up the most famous football family in the United States from 1907 until the mid-1920s.

John Nesser
Headstone of John Nesser and his wife Elizabeth
Profile
PositionQuarterback
Personal information
Born(1875-04-25)April 25, 1875
Trier, German Empire
DiedJuly 29, 1931(1931-07-29) (aged 56)
Columbus, Ohio, U.S.
Listed height5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Listed weight195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
CollegeNone
Career history
1909–1921Columbus Panhandles

Weighing a mere 195 pounds, John was the smallest brother in the family. He usually played quarterback, a position that called primarily for blocking and tackling ability in the 1920s, and on the offensive line. He was an all-around athlete who even won a medal as all-around champion athlete of the Pennsylvania Railroad. His main competition during those events was his own brothers.

After the 1921 season at age 46, Nesser held the record as the NFL's oldest player until it was broken by Bobby Marshall of the Duluth Kelleys in 1925.[1]

John Nesser

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