Harry Baujan, legendary University of Dayton football coach and athletic director, said Johnny Heller was one of the best backs ever to play for him in 25 years.
Vinee McDonough, U.D. Flyer and a pro with the Dayton Rosies, said that Johnny was the “greatest back I have ever seen, bar none.”
Johnny had an outstanding football, track and basketball career at Stivers High School.
He was an All-City First Team halfback for the 1929 and 1930 City Championship Tigers. He was the captain on the 1930-31 football team that was invited to play in Miami, Florida on Christmas day in 1930.
Johnny threw the shot put, discus and javelin for the track team and regularly finished first or second in those events. He was also a sub on the State Champion Basketball Team.
Football though was his best sport, where he was reported to be a daredevil, who knew no fear on the gridiron. Heller had a sensational football season with The Ohio State Buckeyes in 1931, but decided to leave after his freshman year.
In 1933 Johnny enrolled at the University of Dayton where he was a star running back and punter for the football team. He also played basketball for the Flyers. Unfortunately, he broke his knee his sophomore year and was never the same again.
Johnny died in December 1948 from a cerebral hemorrhage at the young age of 37. He is buried in Woodland Cemetery.
