Byron Bradfute
Byron Gilbert Bradfute (December 12, 1937 – October 30, 2020) was an American football offensive tackle in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at the University of Southern Mississippi and Abilene Christian University.
| No. 77 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Offensive tackle | ||
| Personal information | |||
| Born: | December 12, 1937 Beeville, Texas, U.S. | ||
| Died: | October 30, 2020 (aged 82) New Braunfels, Texas, U.S. | ||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||
| Weight: | 243 lb (110 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: | A. C. Jones (TX) | ||
| College: | Southern Mississippi Abilene Christian | ||
| AFL Draft: | 1960 / Round: 2 Pick: First Selections (by the Los Angeles Chargers) | ||
| Career history | |||
| Career NFL statistics | |||
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| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||
Early years
Bradfute attended A. C. Jones High School, where he was a two-time All-district selection at tackle.[1]
He accepted a scholarship from Abilene Christian University. As a junior, he was thrown out of the team for drinking beer. He finished his senior season at the University of Southern Mississippi.
Professional career
Bradfute was selected by the Los Angeles Chargers in the 1960 AFL Draft, but instead chose to sign with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys as a free agent.[2]
He was a reserve offensive tackle and was a part of the franchise's inaugural season. The next year, he played in 5 games after suffering an injury. On July 29, 1962, he announced his retirement.[3]
Bradfute died from COVID-19 on October 30, 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic in Texas.[4]
References
- "Coaches Put 12 Gridders On 1st Team". Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- "Dallas Lists 25 Texans on Cowboy Team". Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- "Dallas Deals For Packer". Retrieved February 3, 2018.
- Michael Underwood [@FMUnderwood] (October 31, 2020). "Hi Gil, I wanted to let you know that Byron Bradfute died yesterday of Covid in New Braunfels. [...]" (Tweet) – via Twitter.