John Roland Gilroy (March 5, 1896 – July 20, 1952), also known as "the Great Gilroy", was an All-American football halfback for Georgetown University and a professional football player for the Canton Bulldogs (1920), Cleveland Tigers (1920), Washington Senators (1921), and Boston Bulldogs (1926).

In a 1915 game against North Carolina, Gilroy returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.

Later in the year, he helped Georgetown to the most lopsided win in the school's history, a 90–0 victory over St. Louis.

After graduating from college, Gilroy played professional football.

At the time of his arrest, Gilroy (described as "a former Georgetown university football star") was married with four children and was employed as a material inspector for the Works Progress Administration.