Scott Appleton
Encyclopedia
Gordon Scott Appleton was an American football
defensive lineman in the American Football League
. He played college football
at the University of Texas, which won the national championship in 1963
. Appleton was a consensus 1963 All-American
who won the Outland Trophy
that year as well.
He was selected in the first round by the Houston Oilers
, for whom he played from 1964 through 1966. He played for the San Diego Chargers
in 1967 and 1968.
He died of heart failure in 1992. He was 50 years old.
In 1963, the Pittsburgh Steelers
sent Buddy Dial
, a very capable wide receiver
, to the Dallas Cowboys
to obtain the right to draft Scott Appleton. However, Appleton signed with Houston of the AFL. The shenanigans both teams used in the attempt to sign Appleton was one of Myron Cope
's favorite stories.
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 lineman in 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...
. He played college 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...
at the University of Texas, which won the national championship in 1963
NCAA Division I FBS National Football Championship
A college football national championship in the highest level of collegiate play in the United States, currently the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision , is a designation awarded annually by various third-party organizations to their selection of the best...
. Appleton was a consensus 1963 All-American
1963 College Football All-America Team
The 1963 College Football All-America team is composed of college football players selected as All-Americans by various organizations and writers...
who won the Outland Trophy
Outland Trophy
The Outland Trophy is awarded to the best United States college football interior lineman by the Football Writers Association of America. It is named after John H. Outland. One of only a few players ever to be named All-America at two positions, Outland garnered consensus All-America honors in...
that year as well.
He was selected in the first round by the Houston Oilers
History of the Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are the professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the then-Houston, Texas, team began play in 1960 as a...
, for whom he played from 1964 through 1966. He played for the San Diego Chargers
History of the San Diego Chargers
This article details the history of the San Diego Chargers American Football Club.-The AFL era :The San Diego Chargers were established in 1959 with seven other American Football League teams: the Denver Broncos, Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders, New York Titans, Houston Oilers, Buffalo Bills, and...
in 1967 and 1968.
He died of heart failure in 1992. He was 50 years old.
In 1963, 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...
sent Buddy Dial
Buddy Dial
Gilbert Leroy "Buddy" Dial was an American football wide receiver in the National Football League for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Dallas Cowboys.-Early life:...
, a very capable wide receiver
Wide receiver
A wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
, to the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
to obtain the right to draft Scott Appleton. However, Appleton signed with Houston of the AFL. The shenanigans both teams used in the attempt to sign Appleton was one of Myron Cope
Myron Cope
Myron Cope , born Myron Sidney Kopelman, was an American sports journalist, radio personality, and sportscaster who is best known for being "the voice of the Pittsburgh Steelers."...
's favorite stories.