John Raymond Cappelletti (born August 9, 1952) is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) with the Los Angeles Rams and San Diego Chargers.

He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, where he won the Heisman Trophy in 1973.

On the same day, Bonner's alumni association established the John Cappelletti Award, to be given annually to the senior who best exemplifies qualities of character, dedication and athletic success.

During the same ceremony presenting these awards, Cappelletti was inducted as the first charter member of Bonner's Hall of Fame, and his jersey number 11 was retired by the school.

[15] As a senior tailback at Penn State in 1973, Cappelletti gained 1,522 yards on 286 carries scoring 17 touchdowns as the Nittany Lions rolled to an undefeated 12–0 season.

[12][19][20][21] His Heisman acceptance speech, where he dedicated his award to his dying brother Joey,[22][23] is one of the most memorable in the history of college sports.

[27] During Cappelletti's senior season, Penn State played West Virginia in late October.

[5] The undefeated 1973 team was honored at Beaver Stadium during halftime of the 2013 home opener on September 7, and Cappelletti received special recognition – his No.

[31][32] Cappelletti was the eleventh overall pick of the 1974 NFL draft, taken by the Los Angeles Rams.

[5] Cappelletti is married with four sons and resides in Laguna Niguel, California[37] with his wife Betty (née Berry).

[7] He is not related to former Boston Patriots star and 1964 AFL MVP Gino Cappelletti.