Janowicz was born and raised in Elyria,Ohio as son of Polish immigrants. He went to Holy Cross Elementary School and graduated from Elyria High School. The stretch of Seventh Street which runs along the south side of Elyria High is named Vic Janowicz Drive in his honor. In addition,a life-size painting of Janowicz hangs in the lobby of the school. Additionally,the Little League Baseball field located on Wittenburg Ave in Elyria is named Vic Janowicz Park.
After college,Janowicz passed up offers to play professional football in order to pursue a baseball career. He reached the major leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates,but hit only .214 over two seasons as a bench player. He returned to football late in the 1954 season with the Washington Redskins,and was their starting halfback in 1955. During training camp in 1956,he suffered a serious brain injury in an automobile accident that left him partially paralyzed and ended his athletic career.
Post-playing career
Janowicz eventually made a full recovery and became a broadcaster of Buckeye football games. Later he worked as an account executive at a Columbus manufacturing firm and,from 1986,as an administrative assistant to the state auditor.
Janowicz's grave at St. Joseph Cemetery (Lockbourne, Ohio)
He died in Columbus, Ohio, of cancer on February 27, 1996, a day after his 66th birthday.
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