Sutton was born and grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and attended Northeast Catholic High School.
[1] Sutton was selected to play for the Third Army's all-star football team while his unit was taking part in the Occupation of Germany.
[2] After his discharge from the Army, Sutton enrolled at Temple University and played football for one season in 1946.
[4] Sutton was signed by the Buffalo Bills of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in 1949 after attending a tryout for the team.
He originally expected to be cut but made the team after scoring four touchdowns in an exhibition match against the Jersey City Giants of the minor league American Association.