| Defensive back | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: August 2, 1949 | |
| Place of birth: Houston, Texas | |
| Date of death: May 11, 2015 (aged 65) | |
| Career information | |
| College: Texas A&I | |
| NFL Draft: 1972 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17 | |
| No regular season or postseason appearances | |
| Career history | |
| * New York Giants (1972–1974) | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Tackles | 0 |
| Sacks | 0 |
| INTs | 1 |
Eldridge Small (August 2, 1949[1] – May 11, 2015) was an American football defensive back who played with the National Football League's (NFL) New York Giants from 1972 to 1974.
Small was born in Houston, Texas,[1] and attended Wheatley High School before playing college football for the Texas A&I Javelinas from 1968 to 1971 as a wide receiver and defensive back.[2] As a receiver, he had 20 touchdowns in his college career, made 167 receptions, and had 2,547 receiving yards.[3] Small was the Javelinas' all-time receptions leader until 2013, when Robert Armstrong surpassed his total.[4] Texas A&I won two National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national championships during his team with the team.[2] The university's Javelina Hall of Fame inducted Small in 1991.[4]
In the 1972 NFL Draft, the Giants selected Small in the first round with the 17th overall pick,[1] which they had obtained from the New England Patriots in a trade for defensive end Fred Dryer.[5] He played in 34 games for the Giants over three seasons, intercepting one pass, in 1974.[1] In 1975, the Giants traded Small to the Cleveland Browns, but he was released before the start of the regular season.[6] Following his NFL career, he began coaching in the Houston Independent School District, working for Sterling High School as an offensive coordinator.[2] On May 11, 2015, when he was 65 years old, Small died.[4]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Eldridge Small". Pro Football Reference. https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SmalEl20.htm. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Eldridge Small". Texas A&M University–Kingsville. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120405194301/http://www.javelinaathletics.com/EldridgeSmall.cfm?sp=hofm. Retrieved November 4, 2011.
- ↑ "Giants Sign Eldridge Small". The Victoria Advocate. Associated Press: p. 1B. May 8, 1972. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=8NlHAAAAIBAJ&sjid=OYAMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3477,1291764. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Javelina Hall of Famer Eldridge Small Passes Away". Texas A&M University–Kingsville. May 11, 2015. https://javelinaathletics.com/news/2015/5/11/FB_0511155532.aspx?path=football. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
- ↑ "Patriots get Giants' Dryer; give up three draft choices". The Lowell Sun. Associated Press: p. 36. February 1, 1972. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26431660/lowell_sun_1_feb_1972_p36/. Retrieved January 5, 2019.
- ↑ "Defensive back cut by Browns". The Daily Sentinel. United Press International: p. 4. August 26, 1975. https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=v-hDAAAAIBAJ&sjid=t68MAAAAIBAJ&pg=2289,3639997. Retrieved October 12, 2011.
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