Background
His father left when he was 5 years old, his mother was an alcoholic and lived on the street, and his brother went to jail several times.
His father left when he was 5 years old, his mother was an alcoholic and lived on the street, and his brother went to jail several times.
Jon Volpe, being only 5 feet 7 inches tall, received a football scholarship to Stanford University, where he was an all-conference running back (leading in rushing yards), earning General Telephone and Electric Academic All-American honors and being named a Rhodes Scholar nominee (while getting a Bachelor of Science in engineering).
Volpe had a difficult childhood. He was not drafted by the NFL. However, he had a tryout with the Pittsburgh Steelers before he headed to Canada to play for the British Columbia Lions. He had a successful rookie season in 1991, rushing behind Doug Flutie (who would throw for a record 6,619 yards) Volpe added 1,395 rushing yards and led the league with 16 rushing touchdowns and 20 total touchdowns.
In 1992 he added 941 yards and 13 touchdowns, and was again named an All-Star.
A contract dispute meant a late start to the 1993 season and he had a generally unsuccessful season. He left the Lions after 3 years and 36 games.
Volpe moved to the expansion Las Vegas Posse in 1994, but again struggled, rushing only 43 times for 182 yards and 3 touchdowns. He signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1995, but a preseason shoulder injury ended his career.
Currently, Volpe is chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Nova Home Loans.