He grew up in Hamtramck, Michigan, United States, an enclave of Ukrainian immigrants in the Detroit area. He attended Hamtramck High School from 1934–1937, where he made All-City in 1935 and 1936. He attended Detroit Tech from 1937-1940 on a football scholarship. In 1939, he earned a position on the Little All-American Team. The players on this elite team were chosen from Class B colleges throughout the country. He left Detroit Tech in 1941 to play for the Cleveland Rams. In 1942, he entered the Army and continued his football career there, making the Armed Forces All-Star team in 1943. After leaving the Army in 1945, he signed with the Detroit Lions. In 1946 he joined the Buffalo Bisons. He played a total of 7 National Football League games with the Detroit Lions and 2 All-America Footbal