John played in the T-NT rivalry game his sophomore through senior years. He was named to the 1st Team All Niagara Frontier League as a half-back his junior year and senior year. In 1962, he was named to the 11th Annual Scholastic All American High School Football Squad sponsored by Scholastic Magazine. He is considered by many as the greatest running back in the Niagara Frontier League History. John is also a Vietnam veteran, serving from 1966 to 1968.