Professional Football Researchers Association Forum

A book I was reading over the weekend mentioned that Cornell Green played from 1962 to 1974 for the Dallas Cowboys, but did not play high school or college football.

Are there any other non-kickers who played for ten years in the NFL but did not play college football? Bob Hayes comes to mind, but I think he may have played some at Florida A&M.

Just wondering.

Thank you,

Nick

I'm pretty sure that Antonio Gates and Sam Clancy only played college basketball for Kent State and Pitt, respectively.

Preston Pearson only played college basketball at Illinois, yet he played 14 seasons in the NFL and was the first player to play in the Super Bowl for three different teams.

There are some players who didn't attended college and plyed for some years in the NFL (Otis Sistrunk, Ray Seals, Eric Swann, amongst others) who played each close to a decade.

According to Fran Tarkenton's book, "Broken Patterns," New York Giants defensive back Scott Eaton never played college football. Eaton, who played basketball at Oregon, broke into the Giants starting lineup in 1967 at left cornerback. Scott Eaton reported to the Giants as a free agent in 1967 and was a starter in the defensive backfield for the Giants for about 5 years.

Scott Eaton was one of the many changes for the New York Giants in 1967. Fran Tarkenton spoke highly about Eaton in his book.

Halas Hall wrote:Are there any other non-kickers who played for ten years in the NFL but did not play college football?

Big Daddy Lipscomb played service ball for the Marines in the early-50's, but he did not play college football. He had a 10-year NFL career.

Bryan wrote:

Halas Hall wrote:Are there any other non-kickers who played for ten years in the NFL but did not play college football?

Big Daddy Lipscomb played service ball for the Marines in the early-50's, but he did not play college football. He had a 10-year NFL career.

The Cowboys and Gil Brandt signed a number of players who had not played college football. Two that I recall were Peter Gent, who had a five year career, and Percy Howard, who played one year and caught a late TD pass in Super Bowl X.

Former return man Michael Lewis only played 7 years, but he was a Pro Bowler in 2002.

Stephen Neal wrestled in college and had a ten year career with Patriots

Carlton Haselrig was a Pro Bowler with the Steelers, and he also didn't played college football; he was a wrestler with Pitt-Johnstown.