John Patrick McCarthy (1916-1998) was a professional football player in the National Football League. He graduated from Camden Catholic High School in 1935 and Saint Francis University in 1942, where he was named to the first-team of the Little College All-American Football Team for 1941. McCarthy was brought in as the team's quarterback after starter Coley McDonough was drafted into the United States Army just six days prior to the team's second game. During a game against the Green Bay Packers, McCarthy's 35 yard-per-punt average emboldened Card-Pitt to release Johnny Martin.