He started in the team's 1942 Sugar Bowl victory over Missouri.

He left Fordham after his junior year to enlist in the US Army during WWII.

Yackanich fought in the European Theater with the 63rd Infantry Division.

[2] Yackanich was selected by the Cleveland Rams in the 20th round of the 1944 NFL draft while he was still in the Army.

Yackanich left the Yankees during the 1948 season to finish his degree at Fordham.