John Walter "Cap" Oehler (born August 5, 1910 – May 12, 1983)[1] was an American football center in the National Football League (NFL). He was a charter member of the Pittsburgh Pirates (which would later be renamed the Steelers). Oehler was born in Queens, New York.[2] He played college football at Purdue University where he was named a captain.[3]

John "Cap" Oehler

No. 26
Position:	Center
Personal information
Born:	(1910-08-05)August 5, 1910 Queens, New York, United States
Died:	12 May 1983(1983-05-12) (aged 72) Pinehurst, North Carolina
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
College:	Purdue
Career history
Pittsburgh Pirates (1933–1934) Brooklyn Dodgers (1935–1936)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 40 Rushes / yds: 2 / 14 Safeties: 1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

In 1933 Oehler joined the newly formed Pittsburgh Pirates of the NFL. In the team's first game, he blocked a punt which went out the back of the end zone resulting in a safety. Those were the first points recorded in franchise history and the lone points in that first 23–2 loss.[4] He would play two years for the Pirates before moving on to the Brooklyn Dodgers where he played two more seasons.

After leaving football, he built a career in sales with shipbuilder Dravo Corporation.[5]

References