| File:Ernie Wheelwright - New York Giants - 1965.jpg Wheelwright in 1965 | |
| No. 30, 39 | |
| Running back | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth: November 28, 1939 | |
| Place of birth: Columbus, Ohio | |
| Date of death: May 1, 2001 (aged 61) | |
| Place of death: Las Vegas, Nevada | |
| Career information | |
| College: Southern Illinois | |
| No regular season or postseason appearances | |
| Career history | |
| * New York Giants ( 1964) | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
| Rushing attempts-yards | 387-1426 |
| Receptions-yards | 54-531 |
| Touchdowns | 16 |
| Stats at NFL.com | |
Ernest Lamour 'Wheels' Wheelwright (November 28, 1939 – May 1, 2001) was an American football player. He attended Southern Illinois University.
He had several careers but is chiefly remembered as an American football player who played as a running back for the New York Giants (1964–65), Atlanta Falcons (1966–67) and the New Orleans Saints (1967–70).
He was also an actor who appeared in a number of films including: The Longest Yard (1974), Trackdown (1976), The Greatest (1977) & Wildcats (1986). Immediately before he began his career as a running back he had served in the 101st Airborne Division(a.k.a. the Screaming Eagles).[1]
Ernie Wheelwright was also owner of one of Atlanta's premier nightclubs in the 1960s, the Pink Pussycat Club.[2] 'Wheels' hosted many visiting black artists and had the opportunity to cut a record 'Beggin You Back' for the local Gaye label owned by Johnny Brooks.[3][note 1] In 1970 the NFL asked Wheelwright, then with the New Orleans Saints, to sell his interest on the grounds that continuing ownership would bring the NFL into disrepute.[4]
Ernie Wheelwright died of cancer in Las Vegas on May 1, 2001, aged 61.
Filmography[]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | The Longest Yard | Spooner | |
| 1976 | Trackdown | Rosey | |
| 1977 | The Greatest | Bossman Jones |
Notes[]
- ↑ Sports Illustrated, 19th Hole, Readers comments, June 15, 1970
- ↑ Roy Powers "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2010-12-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20101207075429/http://www.bluesdestinyrecords.com/ipnmonitor/index.php?maincat_id=4. Retrieved 2010-05-31.
- ↑ Sir Shambling Deep Soul Website http://www.sirshambling.com/artists_2012/W/ernie_wheelwright/index.php
- ↑ Sports Illustrated, This Saint has been called a sinner, June 1, 1970
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