He attended Cathedral Latin School where he played football, ran track and field, and participated in Golden Gloves boxing.

A military ruling disallowed airmen from playing sports while attending civilian schools, which led Campanella to forego his final two years of college eligibility to enter the NFL draft.

He spent the 1952 offseason training with the Browns, but was traded to the Dallas Texans prior to the start of the season for quarterback George Ratterman.

[6] Midway through the 1952 season, the Texans' owners sold the franchise to the NFL who operated Dallas as a traveling team based in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

The partners' first store, called "Ameche's Drive-In" in Glen Burnie, Maryland, featured the Powerhouse and Kingfish sandwiches served with the Special "35" Sauce.

In the early 1960s Ameche, Fischer, and Campanella wanted to expand, and were able to convince future Pro Football Hall of Fame member Gino Marchetti to join their restaurant group.

Colts' owner Carroll Rosenbloom appointed Campanella the team's vice president and general manager while Kellett completed the season, and was set to officially take his position in 1967.

Campanella died on February 15, 1967, at the age of 36, after collapsing during a handball game with Shula and Colts defensive line coach Bill Arnsparger.