Don Bishop
{{Short description|American football player (1934–1998)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Don Bishop
| image =
| caption =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 2
| weight_lbs = 209
| position = Cornerback
| number = 85, 28, 45, 44
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1934|07|1}}
| birth_place = Rawlings, Virginia, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1998|11|13|1934|07|1}}
| death_place =
| undraftedyear = 1958
| high_school = Jefferson (CA)
| college = LA City College
| pastteams =
- Pittsburgh Steelers ({{NFL Year|1958}}–{{NFL Year|1959}})
- Chicago Bears ({{NFL Year|1959}})
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1960}}–{{NFL Year|1966}})
| highlights =
- Pro Bowl (1962)
- NJCAA All-American (1957)
- 2× All-Western State Conference (1953, 1957)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 96
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 60
| statlabel3 = Interceptions
| statvalue3 = 22
| pfr = BishDo00
}}
Donald William Bishop (July 1, 1934{{spaced ndash}}November 13, 1998) was an American professional football cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Los Angeles City College.
Early life
Bishop was born on July 1, 1934, in Rawlings, Virginia. He attended Jefferson High School, where he competed in football and baseball.
He enrolled at Los Angeles City College, where he was a two-way end.{{cite web| first=Mark | last=Lane | url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/sports/nfl/cowboys/how-trevon-diggs-evoked-recollection-of-forgotten-cowboys-db/287-918431ac-c69e-44f5-a8ce-18a40b9c96e0 | title=Memory Lane: How Trevon Diggs evoked recollection of forgotten Cowboys DB | publisher=WFAA | date=October 16, 2021 | access-date=February 19, 2023}}
In 1953, he received All-Western State Conference honors.{{cite news| title=Four Bulldogs Are on All-League 11 |newspaper=The Bakersfield Californian | date=December 10, 1953 |page=35}} He spent two years out of football while serving his military service.
He returned in 1957 and was named the starter a left end.{{cite news| title=Pritko Faces Uncertain Year With LACC Grids |newspaper=Los Angeles Citizen-News | date=September 5, 1957 |page=16}} He received All-Western State Conference and Junior College All-American honors.{{cite news| title=Nelson Wins All-WSC Spot |newspaper=The Van Nuys News | date=December 5, 1957 |page=16-C}}{{cite news| title=22 Man Team Is Announced By Juco Board |newspaper=The Idaho Statesman | date=December 12, 1957 |page=31}}
Professional career
=Pittsburgh Steelers=
Bishop was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers after the 1958 NFL draft on January 29.{{cite news| title=LACC End Signs Steeler Contract |newspaper=Los Angeles Times | date=January 30, 1958 |page=6}} He was tried at split end and as a halfback, catching only 3 passes in his rookie season. In his second year, he was used at defensive halfback and punt returner, but was released after 2 games on October 12, because of poor performances.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19591013&id=WYBPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7AQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6582,4363918 | title=Steelers' Parker Fires Sophomore Back Bishop | access-date=February 19, 2023}}
=Chicago Bears=
The Chicago Bears claimed him off waivers during the 1959 season, but played him in only one game.{{cite web | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19591015&id=4A0kAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zyUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3178,4064954&hl=es | title=Steelers Sign Hall to Replace Bishop | access-date=February 19, 2023 | archive-date=May 10, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200510023322/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19591015&id=4A0kAAAAIBAJ&sjid=zyUEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3178,4064954&hl=es | url-status=dead }}
=Dallas Cowboys=
On September 6, 1960, the expansion Dallas Cowboys claimed him off waivers. Bishop was switched to cornerback and during the Cowboys' 1960 inaugural year, he became the franchise first starting right cornerback, registering 71 tackles, 13 passes defensed and 3 interceptions in a 12-game season, tying him with Tom Franckhauser for the team lead.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=950&dat=19620815&id=Tj5QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_1YDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5236,2713316 | title='Solid Nucleus' Spurs High Hopes In Dallas | access-date=February 19, 2023}}
In 1961, he began to stand out, finishing with 8 interceptions in a 14-game season, including 6 in the first five contests.{{cite web| url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/cowboys/post/_/id/4774242/cowboys-cornerback-trevon-diggs-game-name-growing-in-stature-quickly | title=How Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs' game, name growing quickly | access-date=February 19, 2023}} He trailed league leader Dick Lynch by one. Only Everson Walls (twice) and Mel Renfro (once), have had more interceptions in a season for the Cowboys. He also established a team record that still stands today, with five consecutive games with an interception. Bishop did not make the Pro Bowl, but was named to the Sporting News first-team All-NFL team.
In 1962, he had 6 interceptions and also scored his lone career touchdown, returning an interception 84 yards in a loss to the Los Angeles Rams. After missing the Pro Bowl the previous season, Bishop was one of the first Cowboys players ever to receive this honor.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19621218&id=5h4rAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xZwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5467,2002008 | title=Eight Giants Are Named To East All-Stars | access-date=February 19, 2023}} In the Pro Bowl, he recovered an Abe Woodson kickoff fumble, returning it 20 yards untouched for the final score in a 30–20 win.{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=w-4sAAAAIBAJ&sjid=7_cDAAAAIBAJ&pg=5896%2C581264 |work=Bend Bulletin |location=(Oregon) |agency=UPI |title=Sherman happy as East upsets West in Pro Bowl |date=January 14, 1963 |page=2 |access-date=February 19, 2023}}
In 1963, he recorded 5 interceptions, making him the Cowboys leader in interceptions during their first four years of existence. He suffered a knee injury in the sixth game against the New York Giants.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1917&dat=19631022&id=MnUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_4gFAAAAIBAJ&pg=6033,3868577 | title=Tom Landry Encouraged | access-date=February 19, 2023}}
The knee injury forced him to have surgery before the 1964 season, which would limit him the rest of his career. He started 7 games at right cornerback, while alternating with Warren Livingston.
In 1965, he was a backup behind Livingston. He retired at the end of the 1966 season.{{cite news| title=Dallas Cowboys vs. New York Giants |newspaper=Grand Prairie Daily News | date=December 16, 1966 |page=5}}
Bishop played 9 seasons in the NFL, leaving as the Cowboys career interceptions leader. His 22 interceptions rank eleventh on the current franchise career interceptions list. Although he played on some of the Cowboys worst teams, he became one of their original defensive stars.
Personal life
Bishop at one point worked as a morticians' assistant during the off-season.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://bleacherreport.com/articles/490794-silver-stars-forever-the-50-greatest-dallas-cowboys-of-all-time The 50 Greatest Players in Silver Stars History]
{{1960 Dallas Cowboys}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bishop, Don}}
Category:Players of American football from Los Angeles
Category:American football defensive backs
Category:Los Angeles City Cubs football players
Category:Pittsburgh Steelers players
Category:Chicago Bears players
Category:Dallas Cowboys players