Dave Pureifory
{{Short description|American football player (1949–2009)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Dave Purifoy
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| number = 75, 68
| position = Defensive end,
Defensive tackle
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1949|7|12|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Pensacola, Florida, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2009|3|5|1949|7|12|mf=y}}
| death_place = Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 260
| high_school =
| college = Eastern Michigan
| draftyear = 1972
| draftround = 6
| draftpick = 142
| undraftedyear =
| pastteams =
- Green Bay Packers ({{NFL Year|1972|1977}})
- Cincinnati Bengals (1978)
- Detroit Lions ({{NFL Year|1978|1982}})
- Michigan Panthers (1984)
- Birmingham Stallions (1984–1985)
| highlights =
- 2× Second-team Little All-American (1970, 1971)
| statlabel1 = Sacks
| statvalue1 = 61.0
| statlabel2 = Safeties
| statvalue2 = 1
| statlabel3 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue3 = 6
| pfr = P/PureDa20
}}
David Lee Pureifory (July 12, 1949 – March 5, 2009) was a professional American football defensive end and defensive tackle for three teams in an eleven-year career in the National Football League (NFL).
Early life
Pureifory was born in Pensacola, Florida, and grew up in Ecorse, Michigan. Following his graduation from Ecorse High School in 1968, he attended college at Eastern Michigan University, where he played football. He received first-team honors on the 1970 Little All-America college football team.{{cite news|title=A.P.'s Little All-American|newspaper=The Morning News|date=December 10, 1970|page=42|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/88983288/aps-little-all-american/|via=Newspapers.com}}
Football career
He was drafted in the 6th round of the 1972 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers,http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20090308/PKR01/90308019/1057/PKR&located=RSS{{Dead link|date=December 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} where he played primarily in a backup role as defensive tackle. While he was known for his play on defense, for two games in 1975 he was called upon to fill-in for injured kicker Chester Marcol. In four extra point attempts, Pureifory was successful twice;.{{cite web |url=http://www.packers.com/history/all_time_roster/player/pureifory_dave_1972-77/ |title=Packers.com » History » All Time Roster » Player » Dave Pureifory |accessdate=2009-03-12 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090328033141/http://www.packers.com/history/all_time_roster/player/pureifory_dave_1972-77/ |archivedate=2009-03-28 }}
The Packers traded Pureifory to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a fifth-round selection in a draft day trade in 1978. The Steelers subsequent moved him to the New England Patriots for their 1979 sixth-round pick.{{Citation needed|date=April 2010}} {{Cite news|url=https://www.packersnews.com/story/sports/nfl/packers/2018/04/19/may-2-1978-packers-draft-full-surprises/530683002/|title=May 2, 1978: Packers draft full of surprises|newspaper=Packers News }} The Patriots released him prior to the {{NFL Year|1978}} season. He was picked up by the Cincinnati Bengals, but went to the Detroit Lions mid-season as a free agent. It was in Detroit where he saw his greatest success, starting every game he played there,{{cite web| url = https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/PureDa20.htm| title = Dave Pureifory Stats {{!}} Pro-Football-Reference.com| website = Pro-Football-Reference.com}} and winning Detroit's Most Valuable Defensive Player honors in 1980.[http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200990306076 Free P] {{dead link|date=May 2023}} While having one of his best seasons in 1982, Pureifory sustained leg injuries that ended his NFL career. Nonetheless, he later played with the Michigan Panthers and Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League.
Post-football career
In 1981 Purifory was elected to Eastern Michigan’s Athletic Hall of Fame. He died March 5, 2009, in Ypsilanti, Michigan, from prostate cancer at the age of 59.{{Cite web |title=Former Packer dies of cancer |url=http://www.jsonline.com/sports/packers/40998007.html |access-date=2024-06-15 |website=www.jsonline.com |language=en}}
Notes and references
{{Reflist}}
{{Packers1972DraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pureifory, Dave}}
Category:American football defensive ends
Category:Eastern Michigan University alumni
Category:Eastern Michigan Eagles football players
Category:Green Bay Packers players
Category:Cincinnati Bengals players
Category:Detroit Lions players
Category:Michigan Panthers players
Category:Birmingham Stallions players
Category:Deaths from prostate cancer in the United States
Category:Deaths from cancer in Michigan
Category:Players of American football from Pensacola, Florida