Billy Truax
William Frederick Truax (born July 15, 1943) is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Louisiana State University.
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| Position: | Tight end | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | July 15, 1943 Gulfport, Mississippi | ||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 240 lb (109 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Holy Cross | ||||||||||
| College: | LSU | ||||||||||
| NFL Draft: | 1964 / Round: 2 / Pick: 26 | ||||||||||
| AFL draft: | 1964 / Round: 2 / Pick: 14 (by the Houston Oilers) | ||||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||||
Early years
Truax attended Holy Cross, where he received All-Prep honors and was a highly regarded prospect. He also practiced basketball, baseball and track.
He accepted a football scholarship from Louisiana State University. He became a starter as a sophomore and was mainly used as a blocker for running back Earl Gros, tallying 5 receptions (fifth on the team) for 61 yards (12.2-yard average). As a junior he blocked for running back Jerry Stovall, registering 3 receptions for 101 yards (33.7-yard average) and one touchdown.
In his last year he was named a team captain, while leading the team with 10 receptions for 112 yards (11.2-yard average) and one touchdown. He also played defense during his career, collecting 2 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries.
Professional career
Cleveland Browns
Truax was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the second round (26th overall) of the 1964 NFL draft. He also was selected by the Houston Oilers in the second round (14th overall) of the 1964 AFL Draft. As a 21-year-old rookie, he was converted into an outside linebacker and suffered a torn a hamstring on the first day of training camp. He lost 6 weeks and was traded to the Rams without having played a down for the Browns on September 5, in exchange for a second round draft choice.
Los Angeles Rams
In 1964, he was tried at defensive end before settling at tight end. In his first 2 seasons he played mainly on the special teams units. In 1966, he began playing in the offense, where his size made him an excellent blocker.
In 1967, he recorded 37 receptions (tied for second on the team) for 487 yards (third on the team) and 4 touchdowns. In 1968, although he played with a broken bone in his left wrist, he tallied 35 receptions (led the team) for 417 yards (fourth on the team) and 3 touchdowns.
In 1969, he had 37 receptions (fourth on the team) for 431 yards (third on the team) and 5 touchdowns. In 1970, he registered 36 receptions (third on the team) for 420 yards (third on the team) and 3 touchdowns
On May 19, 1971, Truax was traded along with wide receiver Wendell Tucker to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for wide receiver Lance Rentzel.[1]
Dallas Cowboys
In 1971, he was limited with leg injuries and was able to start in 10 games, with 4 contests started by Mike Ditka. He only had 15 receptions for 232 yards and one touchdown, but was a part of the Cowboys' Super Bowl VI championship team.
In 1972, he was coming from off-season knee surgery and was only able to play in 6 games and catch 4 passes for 49 yards. On September 5, 1973, he was assigned to the taxi squad because of a stomach disorder and was eventually placed on the injured reserve list.
Personal life
His cousin Dalton Truax played offensive tackle in the American Football League for the Oakland Raiders.
References
- "Cowboys Trade Rentzel, 3 Others In Shakeup". Retrieved January 6, 2018.