With no “live sports” to discuss, I thought some might like to look back at Tulane players in the pros.
According to the Tulane media guide, over 160 Tulane players have continued on to play pro football with about 130 actually suiting up in the NFL. Although a number of players had sterling careers and several were selected to the 1st team All Pro team and multiple pro bowls, none of our alums have been voted into the NFL Hall of Fame.
Comparing players from different eras, different playing conditions and rules, and different levels of competition is fraught with potential error. I’ve tried to select the 10 former Tulane players who I think had the most successful NFL careers, though I’m sure I’ve overlooked some or simply have a different view of the term “success.” In general I’ve given more weight to longevity and the success a given player had against his peers rather than other factors such as rushing, passing, receiving, or tackling statistics which vary greatly from decade to decade. I’ve also avoided ranking “my ten” because I found it to be too hard. Of course others may choose to do so at their leisure. Anyway, here’s my ten in alphabetical order.
Steve Foley Foley played in the NFL for 11 years and though he never made a pro bowl, he was key player to some very good Denver Bronco teams.
Matt Forte Forte recently retired after a distinguished 11 year career that saw him selected to two pro bowls.
Rodney Holman Holman was selected to three pro bowls during a 14 year career as one of the best tight ends in the NFL
Tommy Mason Mason was selected #1 overall in the NFL and #3 overall in AFL draft in 1961 making him undoubtedly the highest rated Tulane player ever to come out of college. While not matching those expectations, he went on to an 11 year career, being selected twice as a 1st team All Pro and three time to the Pro Bowl.
Max McGee McGee will always be remember for his performance, while hungover, during the 1st Super Bowl, but he was a terrific player through an 11 year career and was selected once to the Pro Bowl.
Mewelde Moore One of the favorite players of Tulane fans over the past 30-40 years, Moore played in the NFL for 8 years on some very good teams. He was seldom the featured back, however, and was never voted to the Pro Bowl.
Eddie Murray Murray had the longest career of any Tulane footballer, lasting 18 years in the NFL. He was named as the kicker on the All Pro team one time and also selected to two Pro Bowls.
Richie Petitbon. Petitbon is a name that many Tulane fans overlook when thinking of top NFL players but he played for 14 years and appeared in more Pro Bowls (4) than any other Tulane player. He was also named to the All Pro Team one time.
Eddie Price. Eddie Price played before my time but I actually met him through my father in the early 50’s when the Giants came to Washington to play the Redskins. He only played six years but during those six years, he was named 1st team All Pro twice and selected to the Pro Bowl three times. He led the league in rushing in 1951 and when he retired was #3 on the NFL’s all time rushing list.
Lionel Washington Washington played in the NFL for 15 seasons, more than any other Tulanian save Eddie Murray. He was never named to a Pro Bowl or All Pro team, but as a starter for some very good Oakland Raider teams through much of his career, I think he deserves consideration.
Unfortunately, my list does not include any QB’s, LB’s or Linemen but not from a lack of looking. Shaun King (6 years), Patrick Ramsey (9 years) and J.P. Losman (7 years) all had their time in the sun as starting QB’s in the NFL, but I don’t think their performance was enough to include them in the top ten. Similarly, linemen like Don Joyce on defense (12 years and 1 Pro Bowl selection), Don Maggs (11 years), and Eric Laakso (7 years) were very good pro players but I didn’t think quite qualified. Tony Sardisco is another I considered who played for 7 years in the AFL and made the ALL AFL 1st team twice. But who would he replace in my ten.
Richard Harvey (11 years), Burnell Dent (7 years), and Rusty Chambers (6 years) were excellent linebackers and special teamers who also deserve consideration. Jerald Sowell (10 years) was primarily a blocking back but a key player for the Jets during his time. Another of my favorites was Eric Thomas, possibly (along with Lionel Washington) the fastest player in Tulane history, played 9 years and was selected to one pro bowl before injuries derailed what might have been a great career. I’m still perplexed that a few years ago, when Tulane named an all-star team of the past 25 years, he was not included. But, like I mentioned earlier, everyone has their own opinion and own memories.
I’m sure I’ve overlooked some great players and I intentionally didn’t consider guys like Dub Jones and Bubby Brister who finished their college careers elsewhere, though I don’t think either would be in my top ten.
Anyhow, I hope we can soon move the discussion to our current Tulane team and preparation for the 2020 season.
Roll Wave!!!
According to the Tulane media guide, over 160 Tulane players have continued on to play pro football with about 130 actually suiting up in the NFL. Although a number of players had sterling careers and several were selected to the 1st team All Pro team and multiple pro bowls, none of our alums have been voted into the NFL Hall of Fame.
Comparing players from different eras, different playing conditions and rules, and different levels of competition is fraught with potential error. I’ve tried to select the 10 former Tulane players who I think had the most successful NFL careers, though I’m sure I’ve overlooked some or simply have a different view of the term “success.” In general I’ve given more weight to longevity and the success a given player had against his peers rather than other factors such as rushing, passing, receiving, or tackling statistics which vary greatly from decade to decade. I’ve also avoided ranking “my ten” because I found it to be too hard. Of course others may choose to do so at their leisure. Anyway, here’s my ten in alphabetical order.
Steve Foley Foley played in the NFL for 11 years and though he never made a pro bowl, he was key player to some very good Denver Bronco teams.
Matt Forte Forte recently retired after a distinguished 11 year career that saw him selected to two pro bowls.
Rodney Holman Holman was selected to three pro bowls during a 14 year career as one of the best tight ends in the NFL
Tommy Mason Mason was selected #1 overall in the NFL and #3 overall in AFL draft in 1961 making him undoubtedly the highest rated Tulane player ever to come out of college. While not matching those expectations, he went on to an 11 year career, being selected twice as a 1st team All Pro and three time to the Pro Bowl.
Max McGee McGee will always be remember for his performance, while hungover, during the 1st Super Bowl, but he was a terrific player through an 11 year career and was selected once to the Pro Bowl.
Mewelde Moore One of the favorite players of Tulane fans over the past 30-40 years, Moore played in the NFL for 8 years on some very good teams. He was seldom the featured back, however, and was never voted to the Pro Bowl.
Eddie Murray Murray had the longest career of any Tulane footballer, lasting 18 years in the NFL. He was named as the kicker on the All Pro team one time and also selected to two Pro Bowls.
Richie Petitbon. Petitbon is a name that many Tulane fans overlook when thinking of top NFL players but he played for 14 years and appeared in more Pro Bowls (4) than any other Tulane player. He was also named to the All Pro Team one time.
Eddie Price. Eddie Price played before my time but I actually met him through my father in the early 50’s when the Giants came to Washington to play the Redskins. He only played six years but during those six years, he was named 1st team All Pro twice and selected to the Pro Bowl three times. He led the league in rushing in 1951 and when he retired was #3 on the NFL’s all time rushing list.
Lionel Washington Washington played in the NFL for 15 seasons, more than any other Tulanian save Eddie Murray. He was never named to a Pro Bowl or All Pro team, but as a starter for some very good Oakland Raider teams through much of his career, I think he deserves consideration.
Unfortunately, my list does not include any QB’s, LB’s or Linemen but not from a lack of looking. Shaun King (6 years), Patrick Ramsey (9 years) and J.P. Losman (7 years) all had their time in the sun as starting QB’s in the NFL, but I don’t think their performance was enough to include them in the top ten. Similarly, linemen like Don Joyce on defense (12 years and 1 Pro Bowl selection), Don Maggs (11 years), and Eric Laakso (7 years) were very good pro players but I didn’t think quite qualified. Tony Sardisco is another I considered who played for 7 years in the AFL and made the ALL AFL 1st team twice. But who would he replace in my ten.
Richard Harvey (11 years), Burnell Dent (7 years), and Rusty Chambers (6 years) were excellent linebackers and special teamers who also deserve consideration. Jerald Sowell (10 years) was primarily a blocking back but a key player for the Jets during his time. Another of my favorites was Eric Thomas, possibly (along with Lionel Washington) the fastest player in Tulane history, played 9 years and was selected to one pro bowl before injuries derailed what might have been a great career. I’m still perplexed that a few years ago, when Tulane named an all-star team of the past 25 years, he was not included. But, like I mentioned earlier, everyone has their own opinion and own memories.
I’m sure I’ve overlooked some great players and I intentionally didn’t consider guys like Dub Jones and Bubby Brister who finished their college careers elsewhere, though I don’t think either would be in my top ten.
Anyhow, I hope we can soon move the discussion to our current Tulane team and preparation for the 2020 season.
Roll Wave!!!
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