John Roveto Sr

John Roveto Sr was born on February 20, 1958, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He played college football as a placekicker for the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns. Despite going undrafted in the 1980 NFL draft, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys as a free agent. Roveto later played for the Chicago Bears from 1981 to 1982, appearing in 18 games. Over his NFL career, he made 14 of 31 field goal attempts (45.2%), with a long of 51 yards. After his football career, he transitioned to professional poker.

Roveto began playing poker seriously after his football days. His most notable achievement came at the 2008 World Poker Tour (WPT) World Championship, where he finished in third place out of a large field, earning $923,355. In the final hand, he held pocket kings against the eventual runner-up, Gus Hansen, who held ace-ten. Hansen completed a straight on the river to eliminate Roveto, who took home the largest cash of his poker career. This result accounts for nearly half of his lifetime tournament earnings.

Roveto has consistently performed in major tournaments. He has multiple cashes at the World Series of Poker (WSOP), including the 2010 WSOP Main Event (though exact placing is not specified in available records). His career live earnings total approximately $1,986,717, placing him in the top 1,500 in the worldwide rankings. He also cashed in the 2024 WPT World Championship, finishing 139th and earning $29,500, demonstrating his enduring competitiveness.

Known for a solid, patient style, Roveto leverages deep-stack play and positional awareness. While not overly aggressive, he capitalizes on opponents' mistakes. His background in professional sports likely contributes to his disciplined approach to bankroll management and emotional control at the table.

Roveto remains active on the tournament circuit, primarily in high-profile events. His unique dual-sport background makes him a recognizable figure in the poker community. He is often noted for his calm demeanor and ability to perform under pressure, traits honed during his gridiron days.

Though Roveto went undrafted in 1980, he signed as a free agent with the Dallas Cowboys, but did not appear in a game for them. He later spent time with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1981 before joining the Chicago Bears, where he played from 1981 to 1982. After the NFL, Roveto played in the United States Football League (USFL) for the Chicago Blitz and New Jersey Generals in 1983. A notable irony: Roveto was signed by the Bears to replace Bob Thomas, but when the Bears re-signed Thomas in 1983, Roveto was released, essentially being replaced by the very man he had originally replaced.

Standing 6 feet tall and weighing 180 pounds during his playing days, Roveto attended Spring High School in Spring, Texas, where he first showcased his kicking abilities. He then played college football at the University of Louisiana (then known as Louisiana-Lafayette) for the Ragin' Cajuns, setting the stage for his brief professional career.