A.J. DiSpirito (born Adam Jon DiSpirito, August 28, 1965 in Huntington, New York) was a outfielder (baseball) wide receiver (football) in the United States Football League and in the (NFL) (National Football League). After impressing New York Yankees (MLB) farm scouts with his speed and ability to throw runners out from the outfield, DiSpirito instead opted for an attempt at a professional football career. NFL Comb (Draft none) Stats/1987: Height 6'1/2" Weight 209 40 Yard 4.35 225lb. Bench Reps 35 225lb. Squat Reps 55 Vertical Shuttle 60 Yard 11.5 Cone 6.77 Broad Jump 10'5". He then never made a permanent home within USFL (defunct), CFL (Canadian Football League), or NFL. In 1989 he was declared unfit and a liability after suffering his fifth recorded concussion.

In 1987 it had been rumored that his tryout with the San Francisco 49ers happened after a phone call made by infamous O.J. Simpson to then head coach Bill Walsh. Simpson's 1977 season in Buffalo was cut short by injury. Before the 1978 season, Simpson signed with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played two unremarkable seasons.

In 1990 close friend running back Freeman McNeil (ret. New York Jets) motivated DiSpirito to attempt a comeback with the Jets as a hometown local. With his speed still in check (4.44 40 Yard Dash), Coach Joe Walton said he was interested. But both of DiSpirito's last two doctors in NY and California, strongly recommended against it. NFL Rehab doctors all agreed on second-impact syndrome (SIS). SIS is an extremely rare condition in which the brain swells rapidly and catastrophically after a patient suffers a second concussion before symptoms from an earlier concussion have subsided. SIS may develop in patients who receive a second blow days or weeks after an initial concussion. Even the mildest grade of concussion can lead to SISA. Professional football players over the years have fallen victim to SIS after not recognizing their injury or having the severity of their recent trauma overlooked by trainers and team doctors.

A.J. DiSpirito has served as a spokesperson for S.T.O.P.-DWI, "SAFE-Kids", and the New York State Traffic Safety Board under Governor Mario Cuomo. DiSpirito is divorced with two children and resides in New York. He is an active professional member (retired player) of the New York Chapter of the NFL Alumni.



List of retired professional American football players