Professional Football Player. For ten seasons (1956 to 1965) he played at the position of running back in the National Football League with the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals. Born Joseph Childress in Robertsdale, Alabama, he attended Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, where he played collegiate football. While at Auburn University he played the position of placekicker and lettered from 1953 to 1955. He was also named the Gator Bowl's Most Valuable Player in 1954 and 1955 and was the recipient of the All-American, FWWA (Football Writers of Association of America) Award in 1955. His Auburn University record included rushing for 1,667 yards, and gaining 164 yards on 29 carries in a victory over Miami during a game in 1954. He was selected by the Chicago/St. Lous Cardinals in the 1st round (7th overall) of the 1956 NFL Draft and played with them for his entire career. During the course of his National Football League career, he carried the ball 530 times for 2,210 yards and had three touchdowns. He also caught 121 passes for 1,700 yards and had 13 touchdowns. After his playing days with the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals he joined the American Football League's Houston Oilers as a coach in 1966. He was with the Houston Oilers for four seasons (1966 to 1970) and with coach Wally Lemm he helped to coach running backs. After his retirement from football in 1970, he worked in the security business. He passed away following a long battle with cancer on his 53rd birthday.
Professional Football Player. For ten seasons (1956 to 1965) he played at the position of running back in the National Football League with the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals. Born Joseph Childress in Robertsdale, Alabama, he attended Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama, where he played collegiate football. While at Auburn University he played the position of placekicker and lettered from 1953 to 1955. He was also named the Gator Bowl's Most Valuable Player in 1954 and 1955 and was the recipient of the All-American, FWWA (Football Writers of Association of America) Award in 1955. His Auburn University record included rushing for 1,667 yards, and gaining 164 yards on 29 carries in a victory over Miami during a game in 1954. He was selected by the Chicago/St. Lous Cardinals in the 1st round (7th overall) of the 1956 NFL Draft and played with them for his entire career. During the course of his National Football League career, he carried the ball 530 times for 2,210 yards and had three touchdowns. He also caught 121 passes for 1,700 yards and had 13 touchdowns. After his playing days with the Chicago/St. Louis Cardinals he joined the American Football League's Houston Oilers as a coach in 1966. He was with the Houston Oilers for four seasons (1966 to 1970) and with coach Wally Lemm he helped to coach running backs. After his retirement from football in 1970, he worked in the security business. He passed away following a long battle with cancer on his 53rd birthday.
Bio by: The Silent Forgotten
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