Barberton grad retires from NFL

PHOTOS COURTESY OF JOSEPH NICHOLAS

NFL player and Barberton grad John Cominsky has hosted a football camp in Barberton through the Cominsky Family Foundation, which he runs with his wife and fellow Barberton graduate, Brittany.  The Detroit Lions defensive lineman announced he is medically retiring.

By RANDY FORST
BGNN sports editor

Barberton graduate and Detroit Lions defensive lineman John Cominsky has announced his retirement from the NFL for medical reasons.
In an Instagram post last week Cominsky wrote in part that after six years in the NFL: “I am officially medically retiring.

“I am proud of the career I had, but have accumulated a combination of injuries that are overwhelming my desire to continue playing. … Who would have thought a small town Barberton, Ohio QB would find his way to sacking NFL QBs? … I walk away with my family in mind and therefore, have found peace in this difficult decision. Time marches on.”

Football, especially pro football, is a violent sport. If you play football at any level, you will probably get hurt. John Cominsky had more than his share of injuries. Since being drafted in 2017, in the fourth round by the Atlanta Falcons, Cominsky (known as Commish) injured his ankle, his shoulder, his wrist, had a bout with COVID, and the final straw, tore his MCL. With all these injuries he decided enough was enough and has hung up the cleats.

Barberton has had its share of NFL players, George Izo, Bob Toneff, Glenn “Jeep”Davis, and Larry Ricks just to name a few. But it is highly doubtful that any of them were quarterbacks in high school then became a defensive end in the pros. That’s right, Cominsky was a QB for the Magics, and not just any quarterback, but a good quarterback. A couple of his highlights were two touchdown runs against Akron East in 2012. In 2013 he had a two-touchdown passing game against Canton Central Catholic, and a 45-yard touchdown run against a very good Steubenville team. His athleticism didn’t go unnoticed as following graduation he signed to play for Charleston College in West Virginia.

His quarterbacking days were over, the 6’5” 285-pound Cominsky was now a defensive lineman. He played for five years for Charleston and became only the second Charleston player ever drafted by the NFL. He was drafted in the fourth round by the Atlanta Falcons. After being waived by the Falcons he was signed by the Detroit Lions. In 2023 his career seemed to start to flourish when he had 14 solo tackles and two sacks. Then the devastating MCL happened in the 2024 training camp. With injuries seeming to follow him around, he decided to medically retire.

John Cominsky loves his hometown. When asked in an interview on Off the Record with Dannie Rogers about what Barberton was like, he responded by talking about the City Parks, Lake Anna, and of course chicken. He and his wife and fellow Barberton High School alum, Brittany, run the Cominsky Family Foundation, which has a focus on helping youth and others in need and they offer a football camp for Magic youngsters, where the emphasis is not just on football, but sportsmanship, and having fun.

When asked about John Cominsky, Magic football coach Tony Gotto had this response:

“I missed coaching him by a year! I was the opposing coach his senior year when he was playing QB and he had a 59–60-yard TD run against us. John is a family man that loves his hometown! Coming back and running his camps with high energy was a great experience for our youth in Barberton. John had a great career with the Falcons and the Lions! It was awesome turning on games and watching him play at the highest level!”

The Magic City is proud of you, John Cominsky, enjoy your retirement you’ve earned it!