John Misko is a former American professional football player whose NFL career put him on the field for the Los Angeles Rams and the Detroit Lions in the 1980s. A tall, powerful punter out of Oregon State University, Misko handled one of the most overlooked but most consequential jobs in football — flipping field position one kick at a time. Across five NFL seasons, he launched more than 200 punts for over 8,300 yards, a body of work that places him firmly among the working specialists who kept the league’s kicking game running in that era.
His path to the pros was not a straight line. Born in 1954 and developed at Oregon State, Misko broke into the NFL in the strike-shortened 1982 season with the Rams and held the punting job through 1984. After a few years away from the league, he returned for one final NFL appearance in 1987 with the Detroit Lions, stepping in during the players’ strike that defined that season. It is the classic story of a journeyman specialist: few headlines, no Pro Bowls, but a decade of proving he belonged.
Standing 6 feet 5 inches and weighing 207 pounds, Misko had the frame coaches love in a punter — long levers, a strong leg, and the athleticism to handle bad snaps under pressure. His career average of 40.4 yards per punt and a long of 67 yards reflect a dependable professional who did the job he was asked to do. Below is a full look at his life, career, and legacy in the NFL.
John Misko Wiki and Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | John Charles Misko |
| Date of Birth | 1 October 1954 |
| Age | 72 years (as of October 2026) |
| Birthplace | Highland Park, Michigan, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Profession | Former NFL punter |
| Years Active | 1982–1987 (NFL) |
| Girlfriend / Marital Status | Not publicly disclosed |
Misko was born on 1 October 1954 in Highland Park, Michigan, and went on to play college football at Oregon State University, where he developed the punting technique that would carry him to the NFL. The league he entered was one in which specialists were increasingly valued, and punters with real leg strength could carve out multi-year careers. Misko fit that mold perfectly: a big, athletic kicker who could boom the ball 60-plus yards when the situation demanded it.
John Misko Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Weight | 207 lb (94 kg) |
| Body Measurements | Not publicly disclosed |
| Eye Color | Not publicly disclosed |
| Hair Color | Not publicly disclosed |
| Shoe Size | Not publicly disclosed |
| Position / Build | Punter; tall, athletic build |
At 6-foot-5 and 207 pounds, John Misko was one of the taller punters of his era — a physical advantage that translated directly into leg leverage. His size allowed him to generate a long, powerful kicking motion without sacrificing control, and his career long of 67 yards stands as proof of the raw strength he brought to the position. In an age before punters were the specialized, highly paid athletes they are today, his frame made him an imposing figure on the sideline.
John Misko Career Information
| Attribute | Details |
| Profession | NFL punter |
| Career Started | 1982, Los Angeles Rams (NFL debut) |
| Known For | Powerful punting leg; long stint with the 1980s LA Rams |
| Teams Played For | Los Angeles Rams (1982–1984), Detroit Lions (1987) |
| College | Oregon State University |
| Career Stats | 42 games; 207 punts for 8,370 yards (40.4 avg); long of 67 yards; 50 punts inside the 20 |
| Best Season | 1983 — 82 punts for 3,301 yards (40.3 avg) over 16 games |
| Retired | Yes, after the 1987 season |
Misko’s NFL story begins in the chaotic, strike-shortened 1982 season, when he took over punting duties for the Los Angeles Rams and appeared in 9 games, averaging a strong 43.6 yards on 45 punts. He earned the job outright the following year and put together his finest season in 1983: a full 16-game campaign in which he punted 82 times for 3,301 yards, averaging 40.3 per kick with a long of 67. In 1984 he remained the Rams’ punter, adding 74 more punts for 2,866 yards while dropping 21 inside the 20-yard line — a mark of consistency in the game’s hidden-yardage battle.
After two seasons away from the NFL, Misko resurfaced in 1987 with the Detroit Lions, appearing in one game during the strike-affected season and punting 6 times for 242 yards. It was a brief coda, but it extended his NFL career to five seasons and 42 games — a respectable run for a specialist in an era when roster spots for punters were far from guaranteed. His final career numbers read like a solid professional résumé: 207 punts, 8,370 yards, a 40.4-yard average, and 50 punts pinned inside the opponent’s 20-yard line.
John Misko Net Worth Information
| Attribute | Details |
| Estimated Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed — no reliable figure has been published |
| Source of Wealth | NFL playing contracts (1982–1987) |
| Annual Income | Not publicly disclosed |
| Endorsements | None publicly documented |
| Business Ventures | None publicly documented |
There is no verified net worth figure for John Misko from any reputable source, and any number seen online should be treated as speculation. As an NFL punter in the 1980s, his earnings reflected the pay scale of that era, when even established specialists made a fraction of what modern NFL kickers earn. Some celebrity-tracking websites attach an estimated figure to his name, but these pages cite no sources and should not be relied upon. After his playing days, Misko maintained a low public profile, and little is publicly documented about his post-football life.
10 Interesting Facts About John Misko
- He was born on 1 October 1954 in Highland Park, Michigan.
- He played college football at Oregon State University before entering the NFL.
- He made his NFL debut in the strike-shortened 1982 season with the Los Angeles Rams.
- As a rookie, he averaged 43.6 yards per punt — an impressive mark for a first-year player.
- His best season came in 1983, when he punted 82 times for 3,301 yards across all 16 games.
- His career long was a 67-yard punt.
- He pinned 50 punts inside the opponent’s 20-yard line over his career.
- He played for the Detroit Lions in 1987 during that season’s famous players’ strike.
- Across five NFL seasons, he appeared in 42 games and totaled 8,370 punting yards.
- At 6-foot-5, he was one of the tallest punters of his NFL era.
Conclusion
John Misko’s NFL career will not be found in any Hall of Fame, but it represents something the league has always depended on: the reliable specialist who shows up, kicks the ball deep, and gives his defense room to work. From his strong rookie showing in the chaotic 1982 season through three full years as the Rams’ punter and a final stop with the Lions in 1987, Misko delivered professional-grade punting for half a decade. His 40.4-yard career average and 50 punts inside the 20 speak to a player who understood the job and did it well. Decades later, his name remains a footnote in the record books of two franchises — and a reminder that football’s unseen work matters just as much as the highlights.
FAQs
Who is John Misko?
John Charles Misko is a former American professional football player who played as a punter in the NFL for the Los Angeles Rams (1982–1984) and the Detroit Lions (1987). He played college football at Oregon State.
How old is John Misko?
He was born on 1 October 1954, which makes him 72 years old as of October 2026.
Where was John Misko born?
He was born in Highland Park, Michigan, United States.
How tall is John Misko?
He stands 6 feet 5 inches tall (1.96 m) and weighs 207 pounds.
Which NFL teams did John Misko play for?
He played for the Los Angeles Rams from 1982 to 1984 and made a final NFL appearance with the Detroit Lions in 1987.
What position did John Misko play?
He was a punter — a specialist responsible for kicking the ball on fourth downs to flip field position.
What were John Misko’s career stats?
Over 42 NFL games, he punted 207 times for 8,370 yards, averaging 40.4 yards per punt, with a career long of 67 yards and 50 punts inside the 20-yard line.
What was John Misko’s best season?
His best season was 1983, when he played all 16 games for the Rams and punted 82 times for 3,301 yards (40.3 average).
Where did John Misko go to college?
He played college football at Oregon State University.
Is John Misko married or dating anyone?
His relationship status has not been publicly documented, so there is no verified information about a partner.
Last Updated: October 2026 | Fact-checked by Xposed editorial team