Charlie Tolar
Encyclopedia
Charlie Tolar was an early American Football League
(AFL) star.
Tolar attended Northwestern State University of Louisiana
. At Northwestern, Tolar was twice Gulf States Conference MVP
and still holds four school records.
One of the most popular figures in the early days of the AFL, the 5-6, 210-pounder had dozens of nicknames, including "the Human Bowling Ball", and was named to AFL All-Star teams in 1961, 1962 and 1963. Tolar helped the Houston Oilers win the first American Football League championship in 1960, and to repeat in 1961. The team finished as runners-up in 1962, when he was the team's Offensive MVP with 1,012 yards and a league record 244 carries. He was named to the Oilers' 30th Anniversary Dream Team chosen by fans in 1989, and was among the top ten all-time rushers in the history of the AFL.
Tolar died in Houston in 2003 following a bout with cancer.
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
(AFL) star.
Tolar attended Northwestern State University of Louisiana
Northwestern State University
Northwestern State University, known as NSU, is a four-year public university primarily situated in Natchitoches, Louisiana, with a nursing campus in Shreveport and general campuses in Leesville/Fort Polk and Alexandria. It is a part of the University of Louisiana System.NSU was founded in 1884 as...
. At Northwestern, Tolar was twice Gulf States Conference MVP
Most Valuable Player
In sports, a Most Valuable Player award is an honor typically bestowed upon the best performing player or players on a specific team, in an entire league, or for a particular contest or series of contests...
and still holds four school records.
One of the most popular figures in the early days of the AFL, the 5-6, 210-pounder had dozens of nicknames, including "the Human Bowling Ball", and was named to AFL All-Star teams in 1961, 1962 and 1963. Tolar helped the Houston Oilers win the first American Football League championship in 1960, and to repeat in 1961. The team finished as runners-up in 1962, when he was the team's Offensive MVP with 1,012 yards and a league record 244 carries. He was named to the Oilers' 30th Anniversary Dream Team chosen by fans in 1989, and was among the top ten all-time rushers in the history of the AFL.
Tolar died in Houston in 2003 following a bout with cancer.