Fred Bruney
Encyclopedia
Fred K. Bruney is a former college
and professional American football
defensive back
.
Bruney played halfback
on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball for the Ohio State University
Buckeyes
from 1950 to 1952. He scored six touchdowns for the Buckeyes in the 1952 season, but he was known primarily for his defensive play. He had 17 career interceptions, which remains second in the Ohio State record book. Bruney was selected first-team All-Big Ten
in 1952.
Bruney was drafted in the third round of the 1953 NFL Draft
by the Cleveland Browns
. He ultimately played in the National Football League
for the San Francisco 49ers
, the Pittsburgh Steelers
, and the Los Angeles Rams. In 1960 he joined the Boston Patriots of the upstart American Football League
. He played there for three seasons and was a two-time AFL All-Star
selection.
Bruney was appointed the interim head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles
for the last game of the 1985 NFL season
after former coach Marion Campbell
was let go with one game remaining in the season. That game was a 37-35 win over the Minnesota Vikings
. The Eagles' 37 points in Week 16 was the most they had scored in a game in over 4 years. Bruney was replaced by Buddy Ryan
for the 1986 season
. Bruney served as an assistant coach throughout his long NFL career with the Eagles
, Falcons
, Buccaneers
, Giants
and Colts
. He retired from the NFL after the 1997 season, at the time he held the longest tenure as a player and coach in Pro Football.
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
and professional American 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...
defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
.
Bruney played halfback
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball for the Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
Buckeyes
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Ohio State Buckeyes are the intercollegiate sports teams and players of The Ohio State University, named after the state tree, the Buckeye. The Buckeyes participate in the NCAA's Division I in all sports and the Big Ten Conference in most sports...
from 1950 to 1952. He scored six touchdowns for the Buckeyes in the 1952 season, but he was known primarily for his defensive play. He had 17 career interceptions, which remains second in the Ohio State record book. Bruney was selected first-team All-Big Ten
Big Ten Conference
The Big Ten Conference is the United States' oldest Division I college athletic conference. Its twelve member institutions are located primarily in the Midwestern United States, stretching from Nebraska in the west to Pennsylvania in the east...
in 1952.
Bruney was drafted in the third round of the 1953 NFL Draft
1953 NFL Draft
The 1953 National Football League Draft was held on January 22, 1953.-Player selections:-Round one:* HOF Member of the Professional Football Hall of Fame-Round two:-Round three:-Round four:-Round five:-Round six:-Round seven:...
by the Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns are a professional football team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are currently members of the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
. He ultimately played in the National Football League
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...
for the San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are a professional American football team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the West Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The team was founded in 1946 as a charter member of the All-America Football Conference and...
, 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 Los Angeles Rams. In 1960 he joined the Boston Patriots of the upstart 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...
. He played there for three seasons and was a two-time AFL All-Star
American Football League All-Star games
-All-League Teams:The Sporting News published American Football League All-League Teams for each season played by the American Football League, 1960 through 1969...
selection.
Bruney was appointed the interim head coach of the Philadelphia Eagles
1985 Philadelphia Eagles season
The 1985 Philadelphia Eagles season was their 53rd in the league. The team improved upon their previous output of 6–9–1, winning seven games. This was the fourth consecutive season in which the team failed to qualify for the playoffs.-Player Selections:...
for the last game of the 1985 NFL season
1985 NFL season
The 1985 NFL season was the 66th regular season of the National Football League. The season ended with Super Bowl XX when the Chicago Bears defeated the New England Patriots.-Major rule changes:...
after former coach Marion Campbell
Marion Campbell
Francis Marion Campbell is a former American football defensive lineman and head coach. Campbell played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs from 1949 until 1951, where he was appropriately nicknamed "Swamp Fox"...
was let go with one game remaining in the season. That game was a 37-35 win over the Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are a professional American football team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Vikings joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1960...
. The Eagles' 37 points in Week 16 was the most they had scored in a game in over 4 years. Bruney was replaced by Buddy Ryan
Buddy Ryan
James David "Buddy" Ryan is a former American NFL football coach.-Early years:Ryan was born and reared in a small, agricultural-based community "just outside of Frederick, Oklahoma." Ryan played college football for Oklahoma A&M University where he earned four letters as a guard between 1952 and...
for the 1986 season
1986 Philadelphia Eagles season
The 1986 Philadelphia Eagles season was their 54th in the league. The team was unable to improve upon their previous output of 7–9, winning only five games...
. Bruney served as an assistant coach throughout his long NFL career with the 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...
, Falcons
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta, Georgia. They are a member of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
, Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
, Giants
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, representing the New York City metropolitan area. The Giants are currently members of the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Colts
Indianapolis 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 ....
. He retired from the NFL after the 1997 season, at the time he held the longest tenure as a player and coach in Pro Football.