and the The University of Idaho retired his number 56 the following During his senior season at Idaho, Yarno was listed at and . His younger brother George (1957–2016) was the nose tackle with neighboring Washington State in Pullman, and the two matched up often in the Battle of the Palouse in 1975 and 1976, both handily won by WSU at Pro football Selected in the fourth round (87th overall) of the 1977 NFL Draft, Yarno made the team as a rookie, but saw little action He played six seasons with the Seahawks, the last five as the starting center, and endured three knee surgeries while a pro. Yarno became the starter in training camp in 1978, but suffered ligament damage to his left knee in the thirteenth game of the regular season, a road win over Oakland in late November. He regained his starting position for the 1979 season and played every offensive down. Yarno signed a three-year contract in April 1983, but was waived by new head coach Chuck Knox in late August after the acquisition of Blair Bush from Cincinnati. Not picked up by another NFL team in 1983, Yarno and his brother George signed three-year contracts with the Denver Gold of the USFL for the 1984 spring season. After limited playing time at center and tight end in the USFL and no interest from NFL teams in 1984, he decided to retire from pro football in November at age 29. Personal After his third season in the NFL, Yarno married Sue Damrell in Spokane in June 1980. They had two children, Julie and Brian, and divorced in 2000. Yarno married Sandy Hurtig in 2003 and they reside in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. References External links University of Idaho - Vandal Athletics Hall of Fame - John Yarno Go Vandals.com - photo - John Yarno - # 56 - 1973 or '74 - pre-roof Kibbie Dome field 1977 Gem of the Mountains, University of Idaho Yearbook John Yarno - photo - Corner Club - Moscow, ID - 2001-10-19 Seattle Seahawks players American football centers Idaho Vandals football players Players of American football from Spokane, Washington 1954 births Living people