John Holecek

John Francis Holecek (born May 7, 1972 in Steger, Illinois) is a former professional American football player who played linebacker for eight seasons for the Buffalo Bills, the San Diego Chargers, and the Atlanta Falcons. He went to college at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1995, went to the San Diego Chargers in 2001, and last to the Atlanta Falcons in 2002. Holecek played in the NFL for 8 seasons, and then he went back to his home town. He coaches at Loyola Academy.

Illinois career
In college, John played for the Illinois Fighting Illini football team from 1991 to 1994. Holecek made the All-Big Ten First Team in 1993, All-Big Ten Second Team in 1994, and was part of the foursome that gave Illinois the nickname "Linebacker U" in the 1990s.

NFL career
Holecek was drafted in 1995 by the Buffalo Bills in the fifth round (144th pick) of the 1995 draft. He debuted for the Bills, but was then released and signed by the San Diego Chargers. Then he was released and signed with the Atlanta Falcons.

Loyola Academy
After retiring from the NFL, Holecek returned to Illinois to coach high school football at Loyola Academy, a private college preparatory in Wilmette, Illinois. He currently serves as head coach and assistant athletic director for the program. In 2008, he coached Loyola to a Prep Bowl Championship at Soldier Field as the Ramblers defeated Lane Tech 17-0. In 2011, he coached the Ramblers to a second place finish in the Class 8A State Championship, losing to Bollingbrook High School 21-17. This was only the school's third appearance in the state championship game and the first in 18 years.

In 2012, Holecek was inducted into the Chicago Sports Hall-of-Fame.