Cotton Davidson
Encyclopedia
Francis Marion Davidson (born November 30, 1931 in Gatesville, Texas
), known by his nickname "Cotton" Davidson, was an American collegiate and Professional Football
quarterback
. Davidson attended Baylor University
, and played professionally for the NFL
's Baltimore Colts
(1954, 1957), and the American Football League
's Dallas Texans
(1960–1962) and Oakland Raiders
(1962–1968).
Cotton Davidson also played quarterback for the Fort Bliss Falcons in 1955-1957. A game between the Fort Bliss Falcons and the Fort Sill, Oklahoma Cannoneers was played for a trophy called "The Little Brown Dud." The Cannoneers won the game and took home the Little Brown Dud. Cotton was awarded ALL ARMY QUARTERBACK in 1955.
Davidson was selected in the first round of the 1954 NFL Draft
by the Baltimore Colts.
In addition to playing quarterback, he also was a placekicker
and punter
. An original Dallas Texan
, Davidson was the first starting quarterback for the franchise. Davidson was selected to the American Football League All-Star Game twice: in 1961 and in 1963. He was honored as the MVP of the 1961 AFL All-Star Game while with the Texans.
In 1963, the Chiefs traded Davidson to the Oakland Raiders
for the first overall selection in the 1963 American Football League Draft
, which was used by the Chiefs to select future Hall of Famer
Buck Buchanan
.
Gatesville, Texas
Gatesville is a city in and the county seat of Coryell County in Central Texas, United States of America. The population was 15,591 at the 2000 census...
), known by his nickname "Cotton" Davidson, was an American collegiate and Professional Football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
quarterback
Quarterback
Quarterback is a position in American and Canadian football. Quarterbacks are members of the offensive team and line up directly behind the offensive line...
. Davidson attended Baylor University
Baylor University
Baylor University is a private, Christian university located in Waco, Texas. Founded in 1845, Baylor is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.-History:...
, and played professionally for the NFL
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
's Baltimore Colts
History of the Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional football team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They play in the AFC South division of the National Football League. They have won 3 NFL championships and 2 Super Bowls....
(1954, 1957), and the American Football League
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...
's Dallas Texans
History of the Kansas City Chiefs
The following is a detailed history of the Kansas City Chiefs, a professional American football franchise that began play in 1960 as the Dallas Texans...
(1960–1962) and Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(1962–1968).
Cotton Davidson also played quarterback for the Fort Bliss Falcons in 1955-1957. A game between the Fort Bliss Falcons and the Fort Sill, Oklahoma Cannoneers was played for a trophy called "The Little Brown Dud." The Cannoneers won the game and took home the Little Brown Dud. Cotton was awarded ALL ARMY QUARTERBACK in 1955.
Davidson was selected in the first round of the 1954 NFL Draft
1954 NFL Draft
The 1954 National Football League Draft was held on January 28, 1954.-Player selections:-Round one:-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:-Round eight:-Round nine:-Round ten:-Round eleven:...
by the Baltimore Colts.
In addition to playing quarterback, he also was a placekicker
Placekicker
Placekicker, or simply kicker , is the title of the player in American and Canadian football who is responsible for the kicking duties of field goals, extra points...
and punter
Punter (football position)
A punter in American or Canadian football is a special teams player who receives the snapped ball directly from the line of scrimmage and then punts the football to the opposing team so as to limit any field position advantage. This generally happens on a fourth down in American football and a...
. An original Dallas Texan
Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. They are a member of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Originally named the Dallas Texans, the club was founded by Lamar Hunt in 1960 as a...
, Davidson was the first starting quarterback for the franchise. Davidson was selected to the American Football League All-Star Game twice: in 1961 and in 1963. He was honored as the MVP of the 1961 AFL All-Star Game while with the Texans.
In 1963, the Chiefs traded Davidson to the Oakland Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
for the first overall selection in the 1963 American Football League Draft
1963 American Football League Draft
-First round:-See also:*List of American Football League players*History of American Football League draft*List of Professional Football Drafts-External links:*...
, which was used by the Chiefs to select future Hall of Famer
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
Buck Buchanan
Buck Buchanan
Junious "Buck" Buchanan was an American collegiate and professional Football defensive tackle. He played for the Kansas City Chiefs in the American Football League and in the National Football League ....
.