Scott Appleton
| No. 70 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: |
February 20, 1942 Brady, Texas | ||||||||
| Died: |
March 5, 1992 (aged 50) Brady, Texas | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 260 lb (118 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Brady (TX) | ||||||||
| College: | Texas | ||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1964 / Round: 1 / Pick: 4 | ||||||||
| AFL draft: | 1964 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
Gordon Scott Appleton (February 20, 1942 - March 2, 1992) was an American football defensive tackle in the American Football League for the Houston Oilers, San Diego Chargers and Oakland Raiders. He played college football at the University of Texas, which won the national championship in 1963. Appleton was a consensus 1963 All-American and won the Outland Trophy.
Early years
Appleton was born on February 20, 1942, in McCulloch County, Texas to Gordon Frederick Appleton and Alberda Methelda Leifeste. He attended Brady High School, where he was an All-state tackle.
He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Texas, where he became a three-year starter and a tri-captain. He earned All-SWC honors in 1962 and 1963. As a senior, he helped Texas win its first National Championship. He was named All-American, was the school's first Outland Trophy winner and he finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting.[1] He was also a member of the Texas Cowboys.
Professional career
In the 1964 NFL Draft the Dallas Cowboys had their sights on acquiring Dave Parks, but after he was selected earlier than expected, they drafted Appleton in the first round and traded his rights to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for Buddy Dial,[2] one of the best wide receivers in the NFL at the time. Although the Steelers thought he would sign with them,[3] he ended up signing with the Houston Oilers of the AFL, who had also drafted him in the first round.[4] The voice of the Steelers, Myron Cope, described the shenanigans both teams used in the attempt to sign Appleton as the "Buddy Dial for Nothing" trade and was one of his favorite stories.[5]
Appleton's career with the Oilers was a disappointment, playing from 1964 through 1966. Like his father, who battled alcoholism (and eventually committed suicide), Scott Appleton also battled alcoholism and drug addictions.[6] On January 12, 1967, he was traded along with linebacker Johnny Baker to the San Diego Chargers in exchange for cornerback Miller Farr.[7] He was released on September 3, 1969.
On November 6, 1969, he was signed as a free agent by the Oakland Raiders to replace an injured Dan Birdwell, but would be later cut. On July 12, 1970, he signed with the New Orleans Saints and was released on August 10.
In 1974, he signed with the Portland Storm of the WFL.[8]
Personal life
After his career in football ended, he became a manager of a Dairy Queen in Westfield, Texas (20 miles north of Houston) and worked at fast food restaurants, still battling alcoholism and participating in various rehab programs. He eventually ended up at the Fourth Street Inn, a project of the First Baptist Church and Rev. Jimmy Allen, in San Antonio, Texas, where they would feed the homeless and conduct Bible readings. Appleton quit drinking and began studying to become an ordained minister. After working at the Fourth Street Inn, he started his own ministry and spoke across the U.S. talking about his alcoholism and recovery.[6]
Suffering from heart disease, Appleton at first declined a heart transplant operation, but later was placed on the list for a donor heart. However, he died of heart failure in 1992 at age 50.
See also
References
- ↑ "Scott Appleton was unassuming anchor". ESPN.com. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- ↑ "1964 draft left lasting impact on Dallas Cowboys, NFL". NFL.com. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Just a Bad Year". The Telegraph. November 21, 1964. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Houston Oilers Sign Appleton". Star-News. Wilmington, North Carolina. United Press International. February 2, 1964. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- ↑ "How Steelers Choked On Scott Appleton". The Pittsburgh Press. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- 1 2 "Bill Little commentary: Scott Appleton's journey to redemption". Texassports.com. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Appleton, Baker Traded by Oiler". Lawrence Journal-World. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- ↑ "Storm Signs Appleton". Eugene Register-Guard. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
External links
- "Scott Appleton; Football Player, 50". The New York Times. March 5, 1992. Retrieved February 3, 2018.