Gary Compton
{{Short description|American football player and coach (born 1968)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL player
|name=Gary Compton
|position=Wide receiver
|number=2, 3, 4
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1968|5|9}}
|birth_place=Irving, Texas, U.S.
|death_date=
|height_ft = 6
|height_in = 2
|weight_lbs = 200
|college=East Texas State
|undraftedyear=1991
|teams=
- Dallas Texans ({{AFL Year|1992}}–{{AFL Year|1993}})
- Fort Worth Cavalry ({{AFL Year|1994}})
- Milwaukee Mustangs ({{AFL Year|1995}}–{{AFL Year|2001}})
- Indiana Firebirds ({{AFL Year|2002}})
- Grand Rapids Rampage ({{AFL Year|2002}})
- Tampa Bay Storm ({{AFL Year|2003}})
- Philadelphia Soul ({{AFL Year|2004}})
|pastcoaching=
- Bakersfield Blitz ({{af2 Year|2006}}–{{af2 Year|2007}})
Head coach - Milwaukee Iron ({{af2 Year|2009}})
|highlights=
- ArenaBowl champion (XVII)
- 3× First Team All-Arena (1992, 1999, 2001)
- 2× All-Ironman Team ({{AFL Year|1999}}, {{AFL Year|2001}})
- "Build Ford Tough" Man of the Year (2001)
- AFL's Second Team 15th Anniversary Team (2001)
- #2 Retired by the Milwaukee Mustangs
|aflstatseason=
|aflstatlabel1=Receptions
|aflstatvalue1=750
|aflstatlabel2=Receiving yards
|aflstatvalue2=10,368
|aflstatlabel3=Touchdowns
|aflstatvalue3=176
|aflstatlabel4=Tackles
|aflstatvalue4=157
|aflstatlabel5=Interceptions
|aflstatvalue5=15
|afl=327
}}
Gary Compton (born May 9, 1968) is a former American football wide receiver and linebacker in the Arena Football League and briefly in the National Football League and World League of American Football. Compton played college football at East Texas State (now Texas A&M-Commerce) from 1987-1990 where he was an All-Conference and All-American Wide Receiver as well as a Harlon Hill Award candidate. He is the all-time leading career receiver for the A&M-Commerce Football program.
Early years
Compton was born and raised in Irving, Texas. In an interview with ArenaFan.com, he described himself as a "Typical Texas kid. My parents dressed me up in Dallas Cowboys’ gear and enrolled me in youth football leagues as soon as I could walk. Since I was five-years-old, my parents had a football in my hands,” Compton said. “And the game has been a part of my life ever since.” Compton was a Football standout at Irving High School in Irving. His on the field successes earned him a Football scholarship to East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas.
College career
Compton attended East Texas State University, where he was a standout wide receiver.{{cite web |url=http://newsok.com/compton-east-texas-crush-cameron-59-0/article/2337506 |title=Compton, East Texas Crush Cameron 59-0 |author=Scott Munn |date=November 11, 1990 |publisher=NewsOK.com |work=www.newsok.com |access-date=November 5, 2013}} A 4 year starter, he helped the Lions to an 8 win season and 2nd place finish in the Lone Star Conference in 1988 and in 1990 an LSC Conference Championship, and an appearance in the 1990 NCAA Division II playoffs finishing as national quarter-finalists with a 10-3 record. Compton graduated from ETSU in 1991 with a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing. Teaming up with future Arena League QB's Michael Trigg and Bobby Bounds, he helped the Lion offenses of the late 80's and 1990 to become some of the most potent in the country. He left Commerce as the All-Time leader in receiving, a four-time All-Lone Star Conference and two-time All-American selection. Compton holds school and conference records for receptions (181), yardage (3,041), and touchdowns (30) in a career.
Professional career
Compton went undrafted in the 1991 NFL draft but signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent. He was with the team throughout training camp, but was released by the team prior to the start of the season. He then joined the Montreal Machine of the World League of American Football for a short time before signing in the Arena Leagues, at first with the Cleveland Thunderbolts, and then was reunited with former Lion teammate Michael Trigg as he signed with the Dallas Texans. This began a long term career in the Arena Football League that saw Compton play for the Dallas Texans, Fort Worth Cavalry, Milwaukee Mustangs, Indiana Firebirds, Grand Rapids Rampage, Tampa Bay Storm, and Philadelphia Soul. Compton retired from Football in 2004.
Personal life
Compton is married and has 3 sons and 1 daughter and lives in Wisconsin. He has coached high school football in both Texas and Wisconsin and is currently the owner and operator of his own business.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{AFL15}}
{{Milwaukee Mustangs (2009–12)}}
{{ArenaBowl XVII}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Compton, Gary}}
Category:American football linebackers
Category:American football wide receivers
Category:Dallas Texans (Arena) players
Category:Fort Worth Cavalry players
Category:Grand Rapids Rampage players
Category:Indiana Firebirds players
Category:Milwaukee Mustangs (1994–2001) players
Category:Milwaukee Mustangs (2009–12) coaches
Category:Philadelphia Soul players
Category:Tampa Bay Storm players
Category:East Texas A&M Lions football players