John Damore (October 20, 1933 – August 4, 2026) was an American professional football player who was an offensive lineman with the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL) for two seasons in 1957 and 1959. He missed the entire 1958 campaign due to sustaining a dislocated right ankle in a 24–17 preseason win over the Detroit Lions at the Cotton Bowl on 5 September.Morrison, Bruce. "Bears Roll Over Lions 24–17," Chicago Daily Sun-Times, Saturday 6 September 1958. Retrieved 8 January 2026."Two Bears Miss Trip to California," Chicago Daily Tribune, Friday 23 October 1959. Retrieved 8 January 2026. He ended his career as an active player after the 1959 season to manage a Riverside, Illinois-based cement construction firm owned by his father who had retired from its daily operations."Veterans Arrive, 54 Bears Drill," Chicago Sun-Times, Sunday 24 July 1960. Retrieved 8 January 2026. His yearly salary as an NFL player was $9,000.Norkol, Mary. "Oldest living Chicago Bear, 92, hopes team has Super Bowl in its future: 'It would be my greatest goodbye,'" Chicago Sun-Times, Wednesday 7 January 2026. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
Damore played college football with the Bob Voigts-coached Northwestern Wildcats, serving as a senior co-captain in 1954. He was selected in Round 13 (152nd overall) by the New York Giants in the 1955 NFL draft.Northwestern University Football 2025 Media Guide. Retrieved 8 January 2026.
A lifelong Bears fan, Damore continued to follow the team after his career ended. He died on August 4, 2026, at the age of 92. He was the oldest surviving Bear prior to his death.
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