Jack Bighead

Who was Jack Bighead?

Jack Bighead was a Euchee Indian who starred in football at L.A. Poly High in the 1940s and was a professional American football end in the National Football League. He was a 1948 graduate of Pepperdine University after earning Little All-American honors in football and track.

After serving in the Navy, he played two years in the National Football League. He was drafted in the 15th round by the Dallas Texans in 1952. Jack Bighead then played professionally for the 1954 Baltimore Colts and then for the 1955 Los Angeles Rams. He was the starter for the Rams before a career ending leg injury.

He joined the teaching staff of the Anaheim Union High School District in 1957, teaching and coaching at Western and Magnolia where he was also known to always be carrying a clipboard as his character "Little Boy" did in the movie Jim Thorpe - All-American. He joined the Katella faculty when it opened in 1966 and coached track and taught health before retiring in 1987. After retiring from teaching at Katella high School, they named an annual track and field event in his honor. He was married to Joan Bighead, and they had two kids, three grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.