John Matuszak

About John Matuszak

John Daniel Matuszak (October 25, 1950 - June 17, 1989), nicknamed Tooz, was an American football player in the NFL who later became an actor. He was the first draft pick of 1973 and played most of his career with the Oakland Raiders until he retired after winning his second Super Bowl in 1981. Matuszak participated in the 1978 World's Strongest Man competition, where he placed 9th. As an actor, he is probably most remembered as deformed Sloth in The Goonies (1985).

Matuszak was born in Oak Creek, Wisconsin in 1950 to Audrey and Marvin Matuszak. He was always big for his age, which became an advantage as a defensive lineman in football. When he eventually turned pro, he stood 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) and weighed over 280 pounds (127 kilograms). He attended the University of Tampa where he was the star of their football team and a brother of the Theta Chi fraternity. (Incidentally, the football program at the University of Tampa ended after the 1974 season.) He also attended University of Missouri and Iowa Central Community College before going to Tampa.

Matuszak, drafted by the Houston Oilers of the NFL, was the first draft pick of 1973. In addition to his contract with the Oilers, he joined the Houston Texans of the World Football League, but never played because of a restraining order that barred him from playing for two teams at the same time. The Oilers, displeased that he tried joining the WFL, traded him to the Kansas City Chiefs where he played until 1975. Then he found himself with the Raiders in 1976. He helped the Raiders win two Super Bowls (XI and XV) before retiring after the 1981 season. He played a total of 123 games in nine seasons of professional football.