John Frederick Dryer (born July 6, 1946) is an American actor, radio host, and former professional football player.
Dryer attended El Camino Junior College before transferring to San Diego State University (SDSU).
Dryer was voted the outstanding defensive lineman on the team and as such was the recipient of the Byron H. Chase Memorial Trophy.
In 1967 and 1968, the Aztec run defense allowed just 80.1 and 100.1 yards per game, still fourth and fifth, respectively in school history after over half a century.
[8] After several run-ins with Giants management in 1971, Dryer was traded to the New England Patriots in February 1972 for three draft choices (a first and a sixth in 1972; a second in 1973).
[11] He refused to report to the Patriots unless they signed him to a long-term contract making him the highest paid defensive lineman in pro football.
[12] The Patriots refused to meet his demands and instead dealt him to the Los Angeles Rams for a 1973 first round draft pick (which they ultimately used to select fullback Sam Cunningham) and backup defensive end Rick Cash, four days before Dryer would have become a free agent.
[12] This trade gave Dryer what he wanted all along—a move to a West Coast team—and he agreed to a multi-year contract with the Rams.
Statistically, Dryer was excellent against the run with 61 tackles (39 solo) and two passes deflection, two fumbles recovered to go along with the 20-yard TD interception.
In 1979, Dryer would be named an honorable mention All-NFC after recording 49 tackles (31 solo), ten sacks, and three forced fumbles (with one recovery).
The Rams led 19–17 against the defending champions, but the Steelers scored fourteen unanswered points to win the game in the fourth quarter 31–19.
The following season, Dryer split the time at his right defensive end position with third-year player Reggie Doss.
He looped through the middle of the Packers' offensive line and dragged backup quarterback Jim Del Gaizo down for his second safety of the game, setting an NFL record.
[16] Prior to the start of his show business career, Dryer helped cover Super Bowl IX for SPORT magazine.
In response to the perceived grandiose and self-important nature of the NFL's championship match, then-editor Dick Schaap hired Dryer and Rams teammate Lance Rentzel for this journalistic assignment.
Donning costumes inspired by The Front Page, "Scoops Brannigan" (Dryer) and "Cubby O'Switzer" (Rentzel) peppered players and coaches from both the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings with questions that ranged from clichéd to downright absurd.
[19] In the early 1980s, when producers/creators Glen and Les Charles and James Burrows were developing the soon-to-be hit sitcom Cheers, Dryer and two other actors were considered for the role of lead character Sam Malone.
He appeared on CHiPs as Lt. John LeGarre in the Season 5 episode Force Seven, about a secret LAPD unit implemented for special situations.
Dryer's best-known acting role came in the 1980s television crime drama Hunter, in which he co-starred with Stepfanie Kramer, followed by Darlanne Fluegel, then Lauren Lane.
[20][21] In January 2009, Dryer was seen in a cable TV commercial for SMS research company,[22] which obliquely makes reference to his NFL record of two safeties in a game from 1973.
In 2015, Dryer joined the ranks of the Marvel Cinematic Universe when he played the evil HYDRA leader, Octavian Bloom, in an episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.