Al Darby
{{Short description|American football player (born 1954)}}
{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Al Darby
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| number = 87, 89, 82
| position = Tight end
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1954|9|14|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Miami, Florida, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lbs = 221
| high_school = Edison (Miami)
| college = Florida
| draftyear = 1976
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 157
| pastteams =
- Seattle Seahawks ({{NFL Year|1976}})
- Houston Oilers ({{NFL Year|1976}})
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{NFL Year|1978}})
| highlights =
| pfr = D/DarbAl20
}}
Alvis Russell Darby (born September 14, 1954) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for two seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Darby played college football for the Florida Gators, and was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 1976 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the Houston Oilers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Early life
Darby was born in Miami, Florida.National Football League, Historical Players, [http://www.nfl.com/player/aldarby/2512457/profile Al Darby]. Retrieved August 18, 2014. He attended Miami Edison High School,Pro-Football-Reference.com, Players, [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DarbAl20.htm Al Darby]. Retrieved August 18, 2014. and played high school football for the Miami Edison Red Raiders.Hubert Mizell, "Edison 'Controls' State Grid Finals," Naples Daily News, p. 4B (December 20, 1970). Retrieved August 18, 2014. In the 1970 Florida Class AA state championship game, he had a 62-yard touchdown reception, contributing to the Edison Red Raiders' 42–22 victory over Fort Pierce Central.
College career
Darby accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Doug Dickey's Gators teams from 1973 to 1975.[http://www.gatorzone.com/football/media/2013/media_guide.pdf 2013 Florida Football Media Guide] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514083544/http://www.gatorzone.com/football/media/2013/media_guide.pdf |date=May 14, 2014 }}, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 95, 102, 106, 130, 177 (2013). Retrieved August 18, 2014. He played in 35 games for the Gators, starting as a tight end as a sophomore and senior, but filling the wide receiver's slot as a junior.Sports-Reference.com, College Football, Players, [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/alvis-darby-1.html Alvis Darby]. Retrieved August 18, 2014. On a Gators team that emphasized Doug Dickey's running game and option over the passing the game, Darby compiled 314 yards and four touchdowns on 22 receptions, with an average of 14.3 yards per catch. During his three seasons as a Gator, the team appeared in three consecutive post-season bowl games for the first time in its history. Memorably, he had a 32-yard reception in the 1974 Sugar Bowl.
Professional career
The NFL expansion Seattle Seahawks franchise chose Darby in the sixth round, with the 157th overall pick, of the 1976 NFL draft.Pro Football Hall of Fame, Draft History, [http://www.profootballhof.com/history/story.aspx?story_id=2010 1976 National Football League Draft] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714162120/http://www.profootballhof.com/history/story.aspx?story_id=2010 |date=July 14, 2014 }}. Retrieved August 18, 2014. During his 1976 rookie season, he appeared in one game for the Seahawks and two more for the Houston Oilers. He did not play during the 1977 NFL season, but appeared in six games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1978.
See also
{{Portal|American football|College football}}
References
{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}
Bibliography
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20140514083544/http://www.gatorzone.com/football/media/2013/media_guide.pdf 2013 Florida Football Media Guide], University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida (2013).
- Carlson, Norm, University of Florida Football Vault: The History of the Florida Gators, Whitman Publishing, LLC, Atlanta, Georgia (2007). {{ISBN|0-7948-2298-3}}.
- Golenbock, Peter, Go Gators! An Oral History of Florida's Pursuit of Gridiron Glory, Legends Publishing, LLC, St. Petersburg, Florida (2002). {{ISBN|0-9650782-1-3}}.
- Hairston, Jack, Tales from the Gator Swamp: A Collection of the Greatest Gator Stories Ever Told, Sports Publishing, LLC, Champaign, Illinois (2002). {{ISBN|1-58261-514-4}}.
- McCarthy, Kevin M., [https://books.google.com/books?id=_Tk-IQepI6cC Fightin' Gators: A History of University of Florida Football], Arcadia Publishing, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina (2000). {{ISBN|978-0-7385-0559-6}}.
- McEwen, Tom, The Gators: A Story of Florida Football, The Strode Publishers, Huntsville, Alabama (1974). {{ISBN|0-87397-025-X}}.
- Nash, Noel, ed., The Gainesville Sun Presents The Greatest Moments in Florida Gators Football, Sports Publishing, Inc., Champaign, Illinois (1998). {{ISBN|1-57167-196-X}}.
- Proctor, Samuel, & Wright Langley, Gator History: A Pictorial History of the University of Florida, South Star Publishing Company, Gainesville, Florida (1986). {{ISBN|0-938637-00-2}}.
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{{1976 Seattle Seahawks|state=collapsed}}
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Category:Players of American football from Miami
Category:American football tight ends
Category:Florida Gators football players
Category:Seattle Seahawks players
Category:Houston Oilers players