Professional Football Player. For eight seasons (1959 and 1962 to 1962), he played at the linebacker position in the National and American Football Leagues with the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers. After attending Pinckneyville High School in Illinois, he played collegiate football at Southern Illinois University. During his college years, he established himself as one of the school's most accomplished athletes as he earned 13 letters an basketball, wrestling, track and javelin (for which he set a school record) and football. Additionally, he earned All-Conference team status three-times while a member of the Saluki's football squad (1955 to 1957) and was conference champion in wrestling. Signed by the Cardinals as a non-drafted player, he appeared in 105 regular season games and yielded a three-year period without missing a game (1965 to 1967). For two years, he served with the United States Army (1960 to 1961). Rushing had the distinction of being a part of the Falcons' roster during their inaugural year in the NFL (1966). He was inducted into Southern Illinois University's Saluki Athletics Hall of Fame in 1978. He died of complications from Parkinson's disease for which he was diagnosed while in his 40s.
Professional Football Player. For eight seasons (1959 and 1962 to 1962), he played at the linebacker position in the National and American Football Leagues with the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers. After attending Pinckneyville High School in Illinois, he played collegiate football at Southern Illinois University. During his college years, he established himself as one of the school's most accomplished athletes as he earned 13 letters an basketball, wrestling, track and javelin (for which he set a school record) and football. Additionally, he earned All-Conference team status three-times while a member of the Saluki's football squad (1955 to 1957) and was conference champion in wrestling. Signed by the Cardinals as a non-drafted player, he appeared in 105 regular season games and yielded a three-year period without missing a game (1965 to 1967). For two years, he served with the United States Army (1960 to 1961). Rushing had the distinction of being a part of the Falcons' roster during their inaugural year in the NFL (1966). He was inducted into Southern Illinois University's Saluki Athletics Hall of Fame in 1978. He died of complications from Parkinson's disease for which he was diagnosed while in his 40s.
Bio by: C.S.
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