Professional Football Player. For eight seasons (1960 to 1967), he played at the safety position in the American and National Football Leagues with the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers. Born Austin William Gonsoulin, he attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Texas where he participated in track and football. He played collegiate football at Baylor University and distinguished himself as the team's captain. Prior to his professional football career, he served with the United States Army. Selected by the 49ers during the 17th round of the 1960 NFL Draft, he signed with Denver of the newly-formed American Football League. His impact was immediate, as he recorded the first interception in league history, produced four interceptions in one game (a then league record) and finished the season with eleven total interceptions. The later remains a team record for a rookie. During the course of his career, he earned Pro-Bowl honors five-times and from 1960 until 1965, he put together a consecutive game streak. In 1984, he was named an initial member of the Denver Broncos' Ring of Fame and was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. He had been battling prostate cancer at the time of his death.
Professional Football Player. For eight seasons (1960 to 1967), he played at the safety position in the American and National Football Leagues with the Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers. Born Austin William Gonsoulin, he attended Thomas Jefferson High School in Texas where he participated in track and football. He played collegiate football at Baylor University and distinguished himself as the team's captain. Prior to his professional football career, he served with the United States Army. Selected by the 49ers during the 17th round of the 1960 NFL Draft, he signed with Denver of the newly-formed American Football League. His impact was immediate, as he recorded the first interception in league history, produced four interceptions in one game (a then league record) and finished the season with eleven total interceptions. The later remains a team record for a rookie. During the course of his career, he earned Pro-Bowl honors five-times and from 1960 until 1965, he put together a consecutive game streak. In 1984, he was named an initial member of the Denver Broncos' Ring of Fame and was inducted into the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. He had been battling prostate cancer at the time of his death.
Bio by: C.S.
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