John Harold Tavener (January 10, 1921 – September 19, 1993) was an American gridiron football player, best known for his collegiate career with the Indiana Hoosiers.

[7][8] However, after first accepting a role as line coach for the Denison University football team in Granville,[9] he decided early in September 1944 to return to Indiana for an additional college season, rather that coaching at Denison or playing professionally in the National Football League (NFL).

Following the 1943 season, he played in the 1944 edition of the East–West Shrine Game, held on January 1 in San Francisco, kicking an extra point for the East.

[18] Tavener played in the Blue–Gray Football Classic following the 1944 season, contested in December in Montgomery, Alabama, kicking an extra point for the North.

[21] Late in December 1945, Tavener signed a contract with the Miami Seahawks of the All-America Football Conference.