UB Mourns the Passing of Football Great John Stofa
4/25/2022 3:40:00 PM | Football
BUFFALO, NY – John Stofa, one of the best quarterbacks to ever play at the University at Buffalo who went on to play for the Miami Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals, passed away on Sunday at the age of 79. A 1964 graduate of UB, Stofa was the starting signal caller for the Bulls in 1962 and 1963.
In his two years as a starter, Stofa helped lead the Bulls to a 6-3 record in 1962 and a 5-3-1 mark in 1963. He threw for 1,326 yards and eight touchdowns over his two seasons as a starter, which at the time were school records.
Stofa was a rare multi-sport collegiate athlete. He played football, basketball and baseball during his years at UB. He was inducted into the Dr. and Mrs. Edmond J. Gicewicz UB Athletics Hall of Fame in 1973.
Following graduation and two seasons playing for the Daytona Beach Thunderbirds of the Southern Professional Football League, Stofa signed with the Miami Dolphins. He played two years in Miami, appearing in eight games and making two starts.
Prior to the 1968 season, Stofa was traded to the expansion Cincinnati Bengals, becoming the first player to ever sign with the franchise. He threw the first touchdown in Bengals' history, a 58-yard pass to tight end Bob Trumpy in a win over the Denver Broncos.
Stofa played in 25 games over fives seasons between the Dolphins and Bengals.
An active alum of UB, Stofa served as a board member of the Blue and White Club in the 1990s.
In his two years as a starter, Stofa helped lead the Bulls to a 6-3 record in 1962 and a 5-3-1 mark in 1963. He threw for 1,326 yards and eight touchdowns over his two seasons as a starter, which at the time were school records.
Stofa was a rare multi-sport collegiate athlete. He played football, basketball and baseball during his years at UB. He was inducted into the Dr. and Mrs. Edmond J. Gicewicz UB Athletics Hall of Fame in 1973.
Following graduation and two seasons playing for the Daytona Beach Thunderbirds of the Southern Professional Football League, Stofa signed with the Miami Dolphins. He played two years in Miami, appearing in eight games and making two starts.
Prior to the 1968 season, Stofa was traded to the expansion Cincinnati Bengals, becoming the first player to ever sign with the franchise. He threw the first touchdown in Bengals' history, a 58-yard pass to tight end Bob Trumpy in a win over the Denver Broncos.
Stofa played in 25 games over fives seasons between the Dolphins and Bengals.
An active alum of UB, Stofa served as a board member of the Blue and White Club in the 1990s.
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