Craig Bingham (American football)
Encyclopedia
Craig Marlon Bingham is a former American football
linebacker
who played five seasons in the NFL
with the Pittsburgh Steelers
and the San Diego Chargers
.
and attended Stamford High School in Stamford, Connecticut
.
He matriculated at Syracuse University
. His college teammates included future Hall of Famer
Art Monk
as well as several other future NFL players: Gary Anderson, Joe Morris
, Jim Collins, Craig Wolfley
, Andrew Gissinger
and Bill Hurley.
. Over the first two seasons of his career he was used primarily as a special teams player by the Steelers. Early in the 1983 season
he suffered a knee injury which was significantly exacerbated in a playoff loss to the Oakland Raiders
. The injury was initially thought to be career-ending, but after three surgeries and significant rehab, Bingham was back in time for the 1984 season
.
Bingham got his first chance to start in week 14 of the 1984 season against the Houston Oilers due to an injury to Bryan Hinkle
. That would turn out to be the only non-strike start of his career.
Bingham was released by the Steelers in September 1985. He was among the team's final cuts in training camp. He was picked up by the San Diego Chargers
with whom he was active for eight games in 1985
.
Bingham finished his professional career as a replacement player for the Steelers during the 1987 NFL players strike
. He started in all three replacement games, but was once again released once the strike was settled.
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...
linebacker
Linebacker
A linebacker is a position in American football that was invented by football coach Fielding H. Yost of the University of Michigan. Linebackers are members of the defensive team, and line up approximately three to five yards behind the line of scrimmage, behind the defensive linemen...
who played five seasons in 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...
with the Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
and the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
.
Early life
Bingham was born in Kingston, JamaicaKingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
and attended Stamford High School in Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
.
He matriculated at Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
. His college teammates included 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...
Art Monk
Art Monk
James Arthur "Art" Monk is a former American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Washington Redskins, New York Jets, and the Philadelphia Eagles...
as well as several other future NFL players: Gary Anderson, Joe Morris
Joe Morris (American football)
Joseph Edward Morris is a former American football running back in the National Football League who played for the New York Giants from 1982 to 1988. Initially noted for his diminutive stature — 5' 7", Morris was a key member of the Giants team that won Super Bowl XXI in 1987...
, Jim Collins, Craig Wolfley
Craig Wolfley
Craig Wolfley is a former American football player and current sideline reporter for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Along with former teammate Tunch Ilkin, he hosts a show on ESPN Radio 970.-College career:...
, Andrew Gissinger
Andrew Gissinger
Andrew Gissinger III is a former professional football player who became the president and Chief Operating Officer of Countrywide Home Loans.Today, Gissinger owns and manages a private equity company...
and Bill Hurley.
Football career
Bingham was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the sixth round of the 1982 NFL Draft1982 NFL Draft
The 1982 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 27–28, 1982...
. Over the first two seasons of his career he was used primarily as a special teams player by the Steelers. Early in the 1983 season
1983 Pittsburgh Steelers season
- Schedule :- Week 1 : vs. Denver Broncos :at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania* Game time: 1:00 pm EDT* Game weather:* Game attendance: 58,233* Referee: Jerry Seeman...
he suffered a knee injury which was significantly exacerbated in a playoff loss 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...
. The injury was initially thought to be career-ending, but after three surgeries and significant rehab, Bingham was back in time for the 1984 season
1984 Pittsburgh Steelers season
- Schedule :- Week 1 : vs. Kansas City Chiefs :at Three Rivers Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania* Game time: 1:00 pm EDT* Game weather:* Game attendance: 56,709* Referee: Jerry Seeman...
.
Bingham got his first chance to start in week 14 of the 1984 season against the Houston Oilers due to an injury to Bryan Hinkle
Bryan Hinkle
-References:...
. That would turn out to be the only non-strike start of his career.
Bingham was released by the Steelers in September 1985. He was among the team's final cuts in training camp. He was picked up by the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
with whom he was active for eight games in 1985
1985 San Diego Chargers season
The 1985 San Diego Chargers season began with the team trying to improve on their 7–9 record in 1984. It was Don Coryell' final season as the teams head coach.-Schedule:-Standings:-See also:*1985 NFL season...
.
Bingham finished his professional career as a replacement player for the Steelers during the 1987 NFL players strike
1987 NFL season
The 1987 NFL season was the 68th regular season of the National Football League. A 24-day players' strike reduced the 16-game season to 15. The games that were scheduled for the third week of the season were canceled, but the games for weeks 4–6 were played with replacement players...
. He started in all three replacement games, but was once again released once the strike was settled.