Ralph Coleman (American football)
| No. 86 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker | ||
| Personal information | |||
| Date of birth: | August 31, 1950 | ||
| Place of birth: | Spartanburg, South Carolina | ||
| Height: | Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). | ||
| Weight: | Lua error in Module:Convert at line 1851: attempt to index local 'en_value' (a nil value). | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: | Carver (SC) | ||
| College: | North Carolina A&T | ||
| NFL draft: | 1972 / Round: 8 / Pick: 208 | ||
| Career history | |||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
| Career NFL statistics | |||
|
|||
| Player stats at PFR | |||
Ralph Donnell Coleman (born August 31, 1950) is a former professional American football linebacker in the National Football League, who played for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for North Carolina A&T University.
Contents
Early years
Coleman attended Carver High School, where he was a part of the last graduating class, before the school merged with Spartanburg High School. He was a three-sport athlete (football, basketball and track). In 1967, as a two-way player (linebacker and offensive tackle), he helped his football team win a state championship.
He accepted a scholarship from North Carolina A&T University to play defensive tackle. He was converted to linebacker and became a four-year starter.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Coleman was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round (208th overall) of the 1972 NFL draft,[1] and became the first African-American linebacker to make the team in franchise history.
He started the year in the taxi squad, before being promoted to the active roster after Chuck Howley was injured. He played mainly on special teams, including the playoffs. After not agreeing with his playing time and contract, he forced the team to trade him to the Houston Oilers in exchange for a conditional draft pick (not exercised).[2]
Houston Oilers
Coleman was waived by the Houston Oilers before the start of the 1973 season.[3]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On March 23, 1976, he was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent.[4][5] He was released on July 12.[6]
References
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
