Linebacker
No. 57
Penn State
"Skorupan won a regular berth as an outside linebacker and developed into one of the Bills' steadiest defensive performers. An excellent tackler in the open field and strong on pass coverage, he has good speed and instincts. John was Buffalo's sixth-round draft choice and made the UPI All-Rookie team.
John was one of the outstanding defensive players in the East as a senior at Penn State and a consensus All-America selection. He was voted AP Lineman of the Week after the Nittany Lions' 1972 victory over Navy; he had 15 unassisted tackles, three sacks of the quarterback and returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown against the Midshipmen. John was on Penn State's Sugar and Cotton Bowl elevens, and a member of the Hula Bowl and College All-Star squads.
Real estate and insurance were his college majors. John spent part of the off-season at Penn State completing his degree requirements and working with the Nittany Lion linebackers. Dancing is one of his favorite pastimes."
-Buffalo Bills 1974 Yearbook
"A good open field tackler and fine pass coverage man, John became a starter for the Bills in 1973.
He made the All-ECAC team for three years. The Bills' sixth-round draft selection for the 1973 season, he participated in the Hula Bowl, Cotton Bowl and Sugar Bowl games.
He pronounces his name 'Skorpen.' "
-1974 Topps No. 372
"Skorupan started 20 consecutive games at outside linebacker before a knee injury knocked him out of the lineup after six games of the 1974 season. Considered by many to be one of the top outside linebacker prospects in the NFL, he made the UPI All-Rookie team in 1973 and continued his outstanding play early in 1974 before the injury. Skorupan underwent knee surgery and is expected to be at full strength this year. He's a strong, consistent open-field tackler with excellent instincts. John was Buffalo's sixth-round draft choice in 1973.
John was one of the outstanding defensive players in the East as a senior at Penn State and a consensus All-America selection. He was voted AP Lineman of the Week after the Nittany Lions' 1972 victory over Navy; he had 15 unassisted tackles, three sacks of the quarterback and returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown against the Midshipmen. John was on Penn State's Sugar and Cotton Bowl elevens, and a member of the Hula Bowl and College All-Star squads.
Real estate and insurance were his college majors."
-Buffalo Bills 1975 Yearbook
"John won a regular berth as an outside linebacker for the Bills during his rookie season of 1973 and has developed into one of the Bills' steadiest performers. He made the UPI All-Rookie team after being Buffalo's 6th-round draft choice. He was a consensus All-American at Penn State.
John has good speed and instincts, he's an excellent tackler in the open field and is strong on pass coverage."
-1975 Topps No. 246
"Skorupan was the Bills' most consistent linebacker in 1975, starting all 14 games and coming back from knee surgery that knocked him out of the final eight games of the 1974 season. He had his first pass interception as a pro against the New York Giants in a Monday Night game, made the UPI All-Rookie team in 1973 and continued his outstanding play in 1974 before the injury. A strong, consistent open field tackler, John was the Bills' sixth round draft choice in '73.
John was one of the outstanding defensive players in the East as a senior at Penn State and a consensus All-America selection. He was voted AP Lineman of the Week after the Nittany Lions' 1972 victory over Navy; he had 15 unassisted tackles, three sacks of the quarterback and returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown against the Midshipmen. John was on Penn State's Sugar and Cotton Bowl elevens, and a member of the Hula Bowl and College All-Star squads.
He worked last winter for a local real estate firm. He's an avid golfer."
-Buffalo Bills 1976 Yearbook
"Skorupan was a regular at outside linebacker again in 1976, starting all 14 games. He finished the season as the team's fourth leading tackler, with 54 unassisted and 31 assists, and was also credited with a sack and seven passes deflected. He started all 14 games in 1975 after coming back from knee surgery that knocked him out of the final eight games of the 1974 season. John had the first pass interception of his career in a Monday Night game against the New York Giants in 1975 and added another interception against the Patriots last fall, setting up a last-second first-half field goal. The Bills' sixth-round draft choice in 1973, he made the UPI All-Rookie team that year.
John was one of the outstanding defensive players in the East as a senior at Penn State and a consensus All-America selection. He was voted AP Lineman of the Week after the Nittany Lions' 1972 victory over Navy; he had 15 unassisted tackles, three sacks of the quarterback and returned an interception 32 yards for a touchdown against the Midshipmen. John was on Penn State's Sugar and Cotton Bowl elevens, and a member of the Hula Bowl and College All-Star squads.
John worked last winter for the Department of Commerce's National Alliance of Business program in Buffalo. He had worked in real estate the previous year. Golf and skiing are among his hobbies."
-Buffalo Bills 1977 Press-Radio-TV Yearbook
"One of the Bills' most consistent linebackers, John has enjoyed two consecutive outstanding seasons after coming back from a knee injury suffered during the 1974 campaign. A strong and dependable open-field tackler, his first interception as a pro came in a Monday night game against the Giants in 1975.
In his college days, he was voted as the AP Lineman of the Week after Penn State's 1973 victory over Navy."
-1977 Topps No. 122
