Professional Football Player. For eleven seasons (1964 to 1974), he played at the middle linebacker position in the American and National Football Leagues with the Oakland Raiders. Born Daniel Joseph Conners, he made his initial mark on the football field, in addition to excelling in wrestling and baseball during his years at St. Mary's High School in Pennsylvania. He played collegiate football at the University of Miami (Florida), where he initially played at the center position, before transitioning to defensive tackle. He achieved All-American honors during his collegiate year and contributed to Miami's reaching of multiple bowl contests. Selected by the Oakland Raiders during the 2nd round of the 1964 AFL Draft, he totaled 141 career regular season AFL and NFL games. It was Coach Al Davis who had Conners switch from defensive lineman to linebacker. A move that proved highly successful. He experienced an AFL Championship Title with the Raiders in 1967 which culminated with an appearance against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II (January 1968). Individually, Conners distinguished himself when he achieved AFL All Star status three consecutive times (1966 to 1968). After retiring as a player, he served as an assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers, before scouting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and later the Oakland Raiders. The later he served at that capacity for 25 years.
Professional Football Player. For eleven seasons (1964 to 1974), he played at the middle linebacker position in the American and National Football Leagues with the Oakland Raiders. Born Daniel Joseph Conners, he made his initial mark on the football field, in addition to excelling in wrestling and baseball during his years at St. Mary's High School in Pennsylvania. He played collegiate football at the University of Miami (Florida), where he initially played at the center position, before transitioning to defensive tackle. He achieved All-American honors during his collegiate year and contributed to Miami's reaching of multiple bowl contests. Selected by the Oakland Raiders during the 2nd round of the 1964 AFL Draft, he totaled 141 career regular season AFL and NFL games. It was Coach Al Davis who had Conners switch from defensive lineman to linebacker. A move that proved highly successful. He experienced an AFL Championship Title with the Raiders in 1967 which culminated with an appearance against the Green Bay Packers in Super Bowl II (January 1968). Individually, Conners distinguished himself when he achieved AFL All Star status three consecutive times (1966 to 1968). After retiring as a player, he served as an assistant coach with the San Francisco 49ers, before scouting for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and later the Oakland Raiders. The later he served at that capacity for 25 years.
Bio by: C.S.
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