Don Orr

Donald C. Orr was an American football player and official.[1] He was born in Miami, Florida.[2]

Not to be confused with Donald Orr.
Don Orr
Vanderbilt Commodores – No. 10
PositionQuarterback
ClassGraduate
Career history
CollegeVanderbilt (1955)
Bowl games
Career highlights and awards
  • Vanderbilt's first bowl victory

Vanderbilt University

Orr was a prominent quarterback for the Vanderbilt Commodores football teams of Vanderbilt University.[1]

1955
Main article: 1955 Vanderbilt Commodores football team

Orr led Vanderbilt to its first bowl victory by defeating Auburn 25 to 13 in the 1955 Gator Bowl. He was selected Vanderbilt's MVP of the game, and received a standing ovation upon getting the award.[3][4] Vandy's first two scores were a pass Orr to Joe Stephenson and a run by Orr respectively.[5]

NFL draft

He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 26th round of the 1956 NFL Draft; but he never talked to the team.[1]

Official

Orr was a prominent National Football League (NFL) official for 25 seasons, from 1971 through 1995,[4] serving as a field judge in three Super Bowls.[1] He wore uniform number 77 for the majority of his NFL career. As a side judge in the 1979 AFC Championship Game between the Houston Oilers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Orr made a controversial incomplete pass call denying Oilers receiver Mike Renfro an apparent game-tying touchdown late in the third quarter.[6] The Oilers subsequently settled for a field goal and went on to lose 27–13.[6] The controversy prompted calls for the NFL to institute replay review.[7]

Contracting

Though officially retired in 2006, Orr serves as chairman of the board of Nashville Machine Co., a prominent regional mechanical contracting company.[8]

References
  1. Bill Traughber (November 9, 2011). "Don Orr: Vandy QB to NFL official".
  2. "Don Orr: Vandy QB to NFL official". Vanderbilt University Commodores. Retrieved 28 February 2023.
  3. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). "Bowl/All-Star Game Records: Most Valuable Players in Former Major Bowls" (PDF). 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records. NCAA.org. p. 96. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  4. Bill Traughber (2011). Vanderbilt Football:Tales Of Commodore Gridiron History. p. 128. ISBN 9781609494230.
  5. "December 31st, 1955" (PDF).
  6. Grimsley, Will (January 8, 1980). "NFL backing official". The Daily Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. Associated Press. p. 11.
  7. Wolf, Mark (January 11, 1980). "An NFL Coverup on Renfro Call? Refs' Mistakes Part of Game". The Charlotte Observer. p. 3B.
  8. "Where Are They Now?".
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