Ed Shuttlesworth
Encyclopedia
Ed Shuttlesworth is a former American football
fullback
.
He played for the University of Michigan
from 1971 to 1973. He was the leading rush
er for Michigan's 1972
and 1973 teams
that compiled a combined record of 30–1–1. At the time of his graduation, he was Michigan's all-time leader in rushing attempts (532) and ranked third in rushing yards (2,333 yards).
After graduating from Michigan, Shuttlesworth played for the Toronto Argonauts
in 1974 and 1975. With 866 rushing yards in his rookie year, he was the third leading rusher in the Canadian Football League
.
in Cincinnati, Ohio
.
that finished the regular season with an undefeated 11–0 record. Shuttlesworth began the season as a backup fullback, playing as a substitute for Fritz Seyferth.
In the second game of the season, a 56-0 win over Virginia
, Shuttlesworth led the team with 107 rushing yards on 16 carries for an average of 6.7 yards per carry. He also scored his first college touchdown in the Virginia game. After the game, Larry Paladino, for the Associated Press
, described Shuttlesworth as "a bruising, 235-pound, second string fullback."
In a game against Minnesota
in late October, Shuttlesworth outgained starting fullback Seyferth by 96 yards to 25 yards. Two weeks later, Shuttlesworth got his first start in a 63–7 win over Iowa
, Michigan's highest point total since 1947. In the Iowa game, Shuttlesworth rushed for 112 yards (86 yards in the first quarter) and three touchdowns on only 16 carries for an average of 7.0 yards per carry.
One week after the Iowa game, Shuttlesworth was named UPI Midwest Back of the Week after rushing for 125 yards and three touchdowns against Purdue
. After the Purdue game, the UPI
noted that the Michigan Gridiron Guide described Shuttlesworth as having "tremendous raw potential." The UPI concluded that Coach Schembechler had "turned that raw potential into running might."
Playing against Stanford
in the 1972 Rose Bowl
, Shuttlesworth made a key play on kick coverage, hitting Stanford's Jim Ferguson at the two-yard line and knocking him back into the end zone for a safety. The safety gave Michigan a 12-10 lead, but Stanford kicked a late field goal to win by a score of 13-12.
Shuttlesworth gained 877 yards and scored six touchdowns on 182 carries in 1971 for an average of 4.8 yards per carry. He was the team's second leading rusher behind Billy Taylor
(1,297 yards).
), but won the starting job in the second game of the year. Shuttlesworth was the starting fullback in eight games for the 1972 team
that finished with a record of 10–1. As in 1971, Shuttlesworth had three games in which he rushed for more than 100 yards. Early in the season, he reached the 1,000-yard milestone in career rushing, hitting the mark sooner than any player in Wolverine history.
Shuttlesworth had the best game of his career against 18th ranked Tulane
on September 30, 1972, rushing for 151 yards and scoring three touchdowns on 20 carries for an average of 7.5 yards per carry. After the Tulane game, the Associated Press
called Shuttlesworth "the human bulldozer," and Shuttlesworth told reporters:
Michigan head coach Bo Schembechler
added, "We're trying to get Shuttlesworth to lift his legs more in the secondary. He is potentially a breakaway runner and he can go all the way."
Later in the year, Shuttlesworth gained only 86 yards but scored a career-high four touchdowns against Minnesota. He scored all four touchdowns in the first half on runs of less than four yards or less. He was Michigan's leading rusher in 1972 with 716 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 157 carries for an average of 4.5 yards per carry.
that finished the season with a 10–0–1 record. For the second straight year, he was Michigan's leading rusher. He accumulated 746 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 193 carries for an average of 3.9 yards per carry. In his final game for Michigan, Shuttlesworth rushed for 116 yards in a 10–10 tie with Ohio State
. After the Ohio State game, Michigan head coach Bo Schembechler told reporters, "We had a great fullback in there today. That man Shuttlesworth really ran. He came to play."
In January 1974, Shuttlesworth played for the East All-Stars in the Hula Bowl
. Bo Schembechler coached the East All-Stars and called on Shuttlesworth to carry the ball 22 times. Shuttlesworth, who led the East team to a victory with his 86 rushing yards, told the press after the game, "I don't mind doing all that work. It's my job."
(3,072 yards).
in the second round (37th overall pick) of the 1974 NFL Draft
. He opted instead to play for the Toronto Argonauts
in the Canadian Football League
. He signed a three-year contract with the Argonauts in March 1974. In April 1974, a Maryland sports columnist expressed dismay at the Colts' inability to sign Shuttlesworth:
In 1974, he was the third leading rusher in the CFL with 866 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 191 carries for an average of 4.5 yards per carry. In 1975, he gained 101 rushing yards on 21 carries for an average of 4.8 yards per carry.
In 1976, Shuttlesworth played with the Baltimore Colts during the pre-season. He did not play with the Colts during the regular season. In 1977, Shuttlesworth attended training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles
and scored on a 30-yard touchdown run in an exhibition game against the Washington Redskins
. However, he was waived by the Eagles in early August 1977 and did not make the regular season lineup.
area.
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...
fullback
Fullback (American football)
A fullback is a position in the offensive backfield in American and Canadian football, and is one of the two running back positions along with the halfback...
.
He played for the University of Michigan
University of Michigan
The University of Michigan is a public research university located in Ann Arbor, Michigan in the United States. It is the state's oldest university and the flagship campus of the University of Michigan...
from 1971 to 1973. He was the leading rush
Rush (American football)
Rushing has two different meanings in gridiron football .-Offense:The first is an action taken by the offensive team that means to advance the ball by running, as opposed to passing. A run is technically any play that does not involve a forward pass...
er for Michigan's 1972
1972 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1972 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1972 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
and 1973 teams
1973 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1973 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1973 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
that compiled a combined record of 30–1–1. At the time of his graduation, he was Michigan's all-time leader in rushing attempts (532) and ranked third in rushing yards (2,333 yards).
After graduating from Michigan, Shuttlesworth played for the Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
in 1974 and 1975. With 866 rushing yards in his rookie year, he was the third leading rusher in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
.
Early years
A native of Ohio, Shuttlesworth attended Woodward High SchoolWoodward High School (Cincinnati, Ohio)
Woodward High School is a public high school located in the Bond Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. It is part of the Cincinnati Public School District.-Old Woodward Building :Woodward was one of the first public schools in the country...
in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
.
1971 season
As a sophomore, Shuttlesworth made his debut with the 1971 Michigan Wolverines football team1971 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1971 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1971 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
that finished the regular season with an undefeated 11–0 record. Shuttlesworth began the season as a backup fullback, playing as a substitute for Fritz Seyferth.
In the second game of the season, a 56-0 win over Virginia
Virginia Cavaliers football
Virginia Cavaliers football is a college football program that competes in the NCAA Division I-FBS and the Coastal Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
, Shuttlesworth led the team with 107 rushing yards on 16 carries for an average of 6.7 yards per carry. He also scored his first college touchdown in the Virginia game. After the game, Larry Paladino, for the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
, described Shuttlesworth as "a bruising, 235-pound, second string fullback."
In a game against Minnesota
Minnesota Golden Gophers football
The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are one of the oldest programs in college football history. They compete in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision and the Big Ten Conference. The Golden Gophers have claimed six national championships and have an all time record of 646–481–44 as...
in late October, Shuttlesworth outgained starting fullback Seyferth by 96 yards to 25 yards. Two weeks later, Shuttlesworth got his first start in a 63–7 win over Iowa
Iowa Hawkeyes football
The Iowa Hawkeyes football team is the interscholastic football team at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. The Hawkeyes have competed in the Big Ten Conference since 1900, and are currently a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association...
, Michigan's highest point total since 1947. In the Iowa game, Shuttlesworth rushed for 112 yards (86 yards in the first quarter) and three touchdowns on only 16 carries for an average of 7.0 yards per carry.
One week after the Iowa game, Shuttlesworth was named UPI Midwest Back of the Week after rushing for 125 yards and three touchdowns against Purdue
Purdue Boilermakers football
The Purdue Boilermakers football team is the intercollegiate football program of the Purdue University Boilermakers. The program is classified in the NCAA's Division I Bowl Subdivision, and the team competes in the Big Ten Conference. The Boilermakers have an all-time record of...
. After the Purdue game, the UPI
United Press International
United Press International is a once-major international news agency, whose newswires, photo, news film and audio services provided news material to thousands of newspapers, magazines and radio and television stations for most of the twentieth century...
noted that the Michigan Gridiron Guide described Shuttlesworth as having "tremendous raw potential." The UPI concluded that Coach Schembechler had "turned that raw potential into running might."
Playing against Stanford
Stanford Cardinal football
The Stanford Cardinal football program represents Stanford University in college football at the NCAA Division I FBS level and is a member of the Pac-12 Conference's North Division. Stanford, the top-ranked academic institution with an FBS program, has a highly successful football tradition. The...
in the 1972 Rose Bowl
1972 Rose Bowl
The 1972 Rose Bowl was a college football bowl game played on January 1, 1972. It was the 58th Rose Bowl Game. The Stanford Indians defeated the Michigan Wolverines, 13–12...
, Shuttlesworth made a key play on kick coverage, hitting Stanford's Jim Ferguson at the two-yard line and knocking him back into the end zone for a safety. The safety gave Michigan a 12-10 lead, but Stanford kicked a late field goal to win by a score of 13-12.
Shuttlesworth gained 877 yards and scored six touchdowns on 182 carries in 1971 for an average of 4.8 yards per carry. He was the team's second leading rusher behind Billy Taylor
Billy Taylor (American football)
William "Billy" Taylor, Ed. D. is a former professional American and Canadian football running back who played for Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League after starring for the University of Michigan Wolverines...
(1,297 yards).
1972 season
As a junior, Shuttlesworth again began the season as a backup (to Bob ThornbladhBob Thornbladh
Robert N. M. "Blade" Thornbladh is a former American football player, coach and radio color commentator. He played for the Michigan Wolverines football team from 1971 to 1973 and was an assistant coach at Michigan from 1980 to 1986...
), but won the starting job in the second game of the year. Shuttlesworth was the starting fullback in eight games for the 1972 team
1972 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1972 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1972 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
that finished with a record of 10–1. As in 1971, Shuttlesworth had three games in which he rushed for more than 100 yards. Early in the season, he reached the 1,000-yard milestone in career rushing, hitting the mark sooner than any player in Wolverine history.
Shuttlesworth had the best game of his career against 18th ranked Tulane
Tulane Green Wave football
The Tulane Green Wave football program is an NCAA Division I FBS football team that represents Tulane University in New Orleans. The team is a member of Conference USA and is led by interim head coach Mark Hutson, who took over on October 18, 2011, when fifth-year head coach Bob Toledo resigned...
on September 30, 1972, rushing for 151 yards and scoring three touchdowns on 20 carries for an average of 7.5 yards per carry. After the Tulane game, the Associated Press
Associated Press
The Associated Press is an American news agency. The AP is a cooperative owned by its contributing newspapers, radio and television stations in the United States, which both contribute stories to the AP and use material written by its staff journalists...
called Shuttlesworth "the human bulldozer," and Shuttlesworth told reporters:
"I'm working on my open field running. I'm learning to read defenses better. Up to now I've been a power runner, but my breakaway running is coming along. I'm learning to cut and look for the end zone."
Michigan head coach Bo Schembechler
Bo Schembechler
Glenn Edward "Bo" Schembechler, Jr. was an American football player, coach, and athletics administrator. He served as the head football coach at Miami University from 1963 to 1968 and at the University of Michigan from 1969 to 1989, compiling a career record of 234–65–8...
added, "We're trying to get Shuttlesworth to lift his legs more in the secondary. He is potentially a breakaway runner and he can go all the way."
Later in the year, Shuttlesworth gained only 86 yards but scored a career-high four touchdowns against Minnesota. He scored all four touchdowns in the first half on runs of less than four yards or less. He was Michigan's leading rusher in 1972 with 716 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 157 carries for an average of 4.5 yards per carry.
1973 season
As a senior, Shuttlesworth started all 11 games at fullback for the undefeated 1973 Michigan Wolverines football team1973 Michigan Wolverines football team
The 1973 Michigan Wolverines football team represented the University of Michigan in the 1973 college football season. The team's head coach was Bo Schembechler...
that finished the season with a 10–0–1 record. For the second straight year, he was Michigan's leading rusher. He accumulated 746 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 193 carries for an average of 3.9 yards per carry. In his final game for Michigan, Shuttlesworth rushed for 116 yards in a 10–10 tie with Ohio State
1973 Ohio State Buckeyes football team
The 1973 Ohio State Buckeyes football team represented the Ohio State University in the college football season of 1973-1974. The Buckeyes compiled a 10–0–1 record, including the 1974 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, where they won 42–21 against the USC Trojans.-Schedule:-1974...
. After the Ohio State game, Michigan head coach Bo Schembechler told reporters, "We had a great fullback in there today. That man Shuttlesworth really ran. He came to play."
In January 1974, Shuttlesworth played for the East All-Stars in the Hula Bowl
Hula Bowl
The Hula Bowl was an independently administered post-season invitational college football game held each year in Hawaii from 1947 to 2008. The game was last played at Aloha Stadium in the Hālawa district of Honolulu, Hawaii. At one point the longest-running sporting event in Hawaii, it had been...
. Bo Schembechler coached the East All-Stars and called on Shuttlesworth to carry the ball 22 times. Shuttlesworth, who led the East team to a victory with his 86 rushing yards, told the press after the game, "I don't mind doing all that work. It's my job."
Career statistics
In three years at Michigan, Shuttlesworth gained 2,333 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns on 532 carries for an average of 4.4 yards per carry. He had seven 100-yard rushing games and seven games in which he scored multiple touchdowns. At the time of his graduation, he ranked first in rushing attempts and third in rushing yards at Michigan. His rushing yardage trailed only Ron Johnson (2,417 yards) and Billy TaylorBilly Taylor (American football)
William "Billy" Taylor, Ed. D. is a former professional American and Canadian football running back who played for Calgary Stampeders of the Canadian Football League after starring for the University of Michigan Wolverines...
(3,072 yards).
Professional football
Shuttlesworth was selected by the Baltimore ColtsIndianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
in the second round (37th overall pick) of the 1974 NFL Draft
1974 NFL Draft
The 1974 National Football League Draft took place at the Americana Hotel in New York City on January 29–30, 1974. Each of the 26 NFL teams was granted 17 selections for a total of 442 picks....
. He opted instead to play for the Toronto Argonauts
Toronto Argonauts
The Toronto Argonauts are a professional Canadian football team competing in the East Division of the Canadian Football League. The Toronto, Ontario based team was founded in 1873 and is one of the oldest existing professional sports teams in North America, after the Chicago Cubs and the Atlanta...
in the Canadian Football League
Canadian Football League
The Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
. He signed a three-year contract with the Argonauts in March 1974. In April 1974, a Maryland sports columnist expressed dismay at the Colts' inability to sign Shuttlesworth:
"But the Colts' future was stunted somewhat a few weeks back when Michigan fullback Ed Shuttlesworth, a second round draft pick, wanted no parts of the Colt organization and signed a pact with the CFL Toronto Argonauts. Colts general manager Joe Thomas was stunned at Shuttlesworth's decision, saying, 'His agent never gave me a chance to make a bid for Shuttlesworth,' who could have solved the Hosses' fullback dilemma."
In 1974, he was the third leading rusher in the CFL with 866 rushing yards and five touchdowns on 191 carries for an average of 4.5 yards per carry. In 1975, he gained 101 rushing yards on 21 carries for an average of 4.8 yards per carry.
In 1976, Shuttlesworth played with the Baltimore Colts during the pre-season. He did not play with the Colts during the regular season. In 1977, Shuttlesworth attended training camp with the Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and scored on a 30-yard touchdown run in an exhibition game against the Washington Redskins
Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins are a professional American football team and members of the East Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team plays at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, while its headquarters and training facility are at Redskin Park in Ashburn,...
. However, he was waived by the Eagles in early August 1977 and did not make the regular season lineup.
Later years
After retiring from football, Shuttlesworth became a computer software professional working in the AtlantaAtlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
area.