Joseph Steven Geri was born October 20, 1924 in Phoenixville to immigrant Hungarian parents. Geri attended Phoenixville High School (Class of 1941) where he was an outstanding all-around athlete participating in basketball, baseball, track, and particularly excelled in football as a triple-threat back. In football, Joe played all backfield positions and earned many area and regional honors. In both his junior and senior years, Geri led Chester County and the Philadelphia Suburban League in scoring. Over the course of his high school career, he scored 235 points as a runner, passer, and kicker (extra points and field goals) earning selection to several all-star teams and All-State honors.

After graduation, Joe attended the University of Georgia. As a freshman, he was behind All-American, future Heisman Trophy Winner, and Hall of Famer, Frank Sinkwich. Because of team injuries, Geri was elevated to the varsity (a rarity for a freshman) but only got to play in one game before breaking his jaw. His injury kept him out of the 1941 Rose Bowl.

Like most athletes of his generation, World War II interrupted Joe’s college career. In the spring of 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. Geri served for three years, including service as a gunner on the cruiser USS Quincy which saw service in Europe including the D-Day landings in Normandy.

Discharged in December of 1945, Joe returned to the University of Georgia in early 1946. He was the second fullback on the team behind another future Hall of Famer, Charlie Trippi. In his breakout junior year, Geri showcased his many talents. As a runner, passer, and kicker, Joe led the Southeast Conference in scoring with 94 points, earning UPI and All-Conference honors, playing in the Gator Bowl. As a senior, he again led the Southeast Conference in scoring with 90 points and setting a then-record 36 of 39 extra points, leading Georgia to the Conference Championship and culminating his college career by scoring two touchdowns in the Orange Bowl on January 1st, 1949. Joe graduated in 1949 at the age of 25.

In the spring of 1949, Geri was drafted in the 4th Round (36th overall selection) by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League Draft. He was chosen to play in the College All-Star Game, a very prestigious post-season game. With the Steelers, Joe was a tailback in their starting backfield, field goal and extra point kicker, and punter. Years later he noted that in their single wing formation, he would touch the ball 85% to 90% of the plays. Geri played for the Steelers for three seasons and was selected to two Pro Bowls. As punter, Joe was noted for his skill in executing the now lost art of the ‘quick kick.’ A highlight of his career was leading the then 2-5 Steelers in defeating the NFL Champion Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 9 to 7 on November 5, 1950. Geri, listed at 5’8” and 190 pounds, ran for 113 yards and kicked three field goals to account for all of Pittsburgh’s scoring.

Joe played for three seasons for the Steelers (1949-1951) and one campaign for the Chicago Cardinals (1952). Following the 1952 season, he retired from the NFL. In 1988, Joe was elected to the State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame for his accomplishments.

Geri was inducted into the Phoenixville Old-Timers Hall of Fame in the early 1990s. He died on April 20th, 2002, and is buried in Morris Cemetery, Phoenixville. Joe was inducted posthumously into the 2012 Class of the Phoenixville Area School District Sports Hall of Fame.