Professional Football Player. For eleven seasons (1951, 1953 to 1961), he played at the defensive-back and halfback positions in the National and American Football Leagues with the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills. He attended East High School in Cleveland, Ohio and played collegiate football at John Carroll University (Ohio). Selected by the Cleveland Browns during the 22nd round of the 1951 NFL Draft, he established himself as one of the league's top special teams players during his years with Baltimore (1953 to 1961). He led the NFL with 27 punt returns for 233 yards and 1 touchdown in 1956 and utilized his skills with the Colts' squad which captured two consecutive NFL Titles (1958 and 1959). After retiring as a player, he embarked upon a lengthy coaching career beginning as an assistant with the Detroit Lions. From 1970 until 1993, he served under his former Colts' teammate Don Shula with Miami and was a contributor to the staff which guided the Dolphins to two consecutive Super Bowl titles (1972 and 1973 season), including the perfect 17 and 0 1972 season. He died of complications from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
Professional Football Player. For eleven seasons (1951, 1953 to 1961), he played at the defensive-back and halfback positions in the National and American Football Leagues with the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Colts, Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills. He attended East High School in Cleveland, Ohio and played collegiate football at John Carroll University (Ohio). Selected by the Cleveland Browns during the 22nd round of the 1951 NFL Draft, he established himself as one of the league's top special teams players during his years with Baltimore (1953 to 1961). He led the NFL with 27 punt returns for 233 yards and 1 touchdown in 1956 and utilized his skills with the Colts' squad which captured two consecutive NFL Titles (1958 and 1959). After retiring as a player, he embarked upon a lengthy coaching career beginning as an assistant with the Detroit Lions. From 1970 until 1993, he served under his former Colts' teammate Don Shula with Miami and was a contributor to the staff which guided the Dolphins to two consecutive Super Bowl titles (1972 and 1973 season), including the perfect 17 and 0 1972 season. He died of complications from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.
Bio by: C.S.
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