Al Darby

Alvis Russell Darby (born September 14, 1954) is an American former college and professional football player who was a tight end for two seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Darby played college football for the University of Florida, and was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 1976 NFL Draft. He also played professionally for the NFL's Houston Oilers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Al Darby
No. 89, 87, 82
Position:Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1954-09-14) September 14, 1954
Miami, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:221 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:Miami (FL) Edison
College:Florida
NFL Draft:1976 / Round: 6 / Pick: 157
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Early years

Darby was born in Miami, Florida.[1] He attended Miami Edison High School,[2] and played high school football for the Miami Edison Red Raiders.[3] In the 1970 Florida Class AA state championship game, he had a 62-yard touchdown reception, contributing to the Edison Red Raiders' 42–22 victory over Fort Pierce Central.[3]

College career

Darby accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Doug Dickey's Florida Gators football team from 1973 to 1975.[4] He played in 35 games for the Gators, starting as a tight end as a sophomore and senior, but filling the wide receiver's slot as a junior.[5] On a Gators team that emphasized Doug Dickey's running game and option over the passing the game, Darby compiled 314 yards and four touchdowns on 22 receptions, with an average of 14.3 yards per catch.[5] During his three seasons as a Gator, the team appeared in three consecutive post-season bowl games for the first time in its history.[4] Memorably, he had a 32-yard reception in the 1974 Sugar Bowl.[4]

Professional career

The NFL expansion Seattle Seahawks franchise chose Darby in the sixth round, with the 157th overall pick, of the 1976 NFL Draft.[6] During his 1976 rookie season, he appeared in one game for the Seahawks and two more for the Houston Oilers.[1] He did not play during the 1977 NFL season, but appeared in six games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1978.[2]

See also

References
  1. National Football League, Historical Players, Al Darby. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  2. Pro-Football-Reference.com, Players, Al Darby. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  3. Hubert Mizell, "Edison 'Controls' State Grid Finals," Naples Daily News, p. 4B (December 20, 1970). Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  4. 2013 Florida Football Media Guide Archived May 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 95, 102, 106, 130, 177 (2013). Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  5. Sports-Reference.com, College Football, Players, Alvis Darby. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
  6. Pro Football Hall of Fame, Draft History, 1976 National Football League Draft Archived July 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 18, 2014.

Bibliography
  • 2013 Florida Football Media Guide, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida (2013).
  • Carlson, Norm, University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators, Whitman Publishing, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia (2007). ISBN 0-7948-2298-3.
  • Golenbock, Peter, Go Gators! An Oral History of Florida's Pursuit of Gridiron Glory, Legends Publishing, LLC, St. Petersburg, Florida (2002). ISBN 0-9650782-1-3.
  • Hairston, Jack, Tales from the Gator Swamp: A Collection of the Greatest Gator Stories Ever Told, Sports Publishing, LLC, Champaign, Illinois (2002). ISBN 1-58261-514-4.
  • McCarthy, Kevin M., Fightin' Gators: A History of University of Florida Football, Arcadia Publishing, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina (2000). ISBN 978-0-7385-0559-6.
  • McEwen, Tom, The Gators: A Story of Florida Football, The Strode Publishers, Huntsville, Alabama (1974). ISBN 0-87397-025-X.
  • Nash, Noel, ed., The Gainesville Sun Presents The Greatest Moments in Florida Gators Football, Sports Publishing, Inc., Champaign, Illinois (1998). ISBN 1-57167-196-X.
  • Proctor, Samuel, & Wright Langley, Gator History: A Pictorial History of the University of Florida, South Star Publishing Company, Gainesville, Florida (1986). ISBN 0-938637-00-2.
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