“I figured, I’ve been through a lot more (in battle) than what can happen on the football field.” “I was a Marine. That’s where I wanted to be, man. That’s the uniform I wanted.” – Joe Arenas Omaha University Alumni Association interview 2003
After graduating from Lincoln High School Joe enlisted with the Marines in 1944. Coming in with the second wave at Iwo Jima he was hit with shrapnel while digging his foxhole. An injury that would shape his career as a pro football player. Granted a medical discharge Arenas spent time in Naval hospitals in Salem, Oregon and San Diego California before making his way back to Lincoln. There he joined the University of Nebraska’s basketball team but Joe’s back injury from the shrapnel quickly ended his basketball career. Joe then transferred to Omaha University to play football for the first time.
The Purple Heart recipient quickly became a football phenomenon – becoming the schools second All-American player and first to be selected in the draft.
According to the 49ers Database: “During his seven years with the 49ers from 1951-1957 Arenas was one of the NFL’s most dangerous return men, averaging over 27 yards on kickoff returns. Arenas is still ranked eighth on the NFL’s all-time return list. But kickoff duty was a walk in the park compared to the day he was hit by shrapnel and earned a Purple Heart.”
Joe Arenas was elected to the Nebraska Football Hall of Fame in 1977 and in 2000 Arenas was inducted into the Laredo Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame.
Joe Arenas passed away on June 30, 2020 at the age of 94 years old. He lies in rest at Old Catholic Cemetery in Galveston Texas. Lest We Forget.
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