Football History

Born March 13, 1938, in Winchester, Massachusetts was the swift Navy halfback for the era of 1958 to 1960 Joe Bellino arrived into this world. Joe was a special talent as shown when in 1958 he scored the Midshipmen’s only TD in a 22-6 loss to rival Army only to come back the next season and pop off 115 yards and 3 scored to lead Navy over the Cadets per the story on the National Football Foundations website. Bellino followed that performance with one in 1960 where he rallied the Middies to a 17-12 win over Army and then inspired the Naval Academy to a 14-7 victory over an always tough Notre Dame team as well. Joe’s Collegiate football highwater mark according to the NFF’s bio on him was a four touchdown performance against Virginia in 1960 or the diving catch he made in the Orange Bowl against Mizzou for a score. Navy retired his beloved number 27 from being used in the future after the last game Joe played. Bellino was rewarded for his talented performances by winning not only the Maxwell Award but the Heisman Trophy as well! The NFF voters summed up their desire for Joe Bellino to enter into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977. After he was done in Annapolis he served his four year obligation to the Naval Branch and then played for the Boston Patriots in the AFL for three years.