Joe Sutton (American football)
{{Short description|American football player (1924–2012)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Joe “ Bud” Sutton
| number = 45
| position = Defensive back/Fullback
| birth_date = {{birth date|1924|4|26}}
| birth_place = Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2012|11|12|1924|4|26}}
| death_place = Bradenton, Florida, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lbs = 180
| high_school =
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
| college = Temple
| pastteams =
- Buffalo Bills (1949)
- Philadelphia Eagles (1950–1952)
| highlights =
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 64
| statlabel2 = Receiving yards
| statvalue2 = 63
| statlabel3 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 1
| statlabel4 = Interceptions
| statvalue4 = 13
| statlabel5 = Fumble recoveries
| statvalue5 = 4
| pfr = S/SuttJo20
| image =
}}
Joe Sutton (April 26, 1924 – November 12, 2012) was an American professional football defensive back and fullback who played in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Temple.
Early life
Sutton was born and grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and attended Northeast Catholic High School. He helped the Northeast Catholic win the City title in 1942. Sutton joined in the US Army during WWII following graduation.{{cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/sports/eagles/Former_Philadelphia_Eagles_defensive_back_Joe_Bud_Sutton_passes_away_at_88.html|title=Former Philadelphia Eagles defensive back Joe "Bud" Sutton passes away at 88|work=Philadelphia Daily News|date=November 13, 2012|access-date=June 8, 2020}}
College career
Sutton was selected to play for the Third Army's all-star football team while his unit was taking part in the Occupation of Germany.{{cite web|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1945/11/30/88321029.html?pageNumber=26|title=SOLDIER TEAMS CHOSEN|work=The New York Times|publisher=Associated Press|date=November 30, 1945|access-date=June 8, 2020}} After his discharge from the Army, Sutton enrolled at Temple University and played football for one season in 1946.{{cite web|url=https://owlsports.com/news/2012/11/14/FB_1114122625.aspx|title=FORMER FOOTBALL PLAYER JOE SUTTON PASSES AWAY|website=OwlSports.com|date=November 14, 2012|access-date=June 8, 2020}} Sutton scored the Owls only touchdown in his first collegiate game, a 7–7 tie with SMU on September 27, 1946.{{cite web|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1946/09/28/93155533.html?pageNumber=20|title=TEMPLE IN 7–7 TIE WITH SO. METHODIST|work=The New York Times|publisher=Associated Press|date=September 28, 1946|access-date=June 8, 2020}}
Professional career
Sutton was signed by the Buffalo Bills of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) in 1949 after attending a tryout for the team. He originally expected to be cut but made the team after scoring four touchdowns in an exhibition match against the Jersey City Giants of the minor league American Association.{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=jBbwkIye3eQC&q=joe+sutton&pg=PR9|title=The Original Buffalo Bills: A History of the All-America Football Conference Team, 1946–1949|first=Kenneth R.|last=Crippen|publisher=McFarland|year=2009|isbn=9780786446193}} He primarily played running back and rushed nine times for 63 yards and caught five passes for 63 yards and one touchdown.{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SuttJo20.htm|title=Joe Sutton Stats|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=June 8, 2020}} His lone touchdown was a 21-yard reception in a 51–7 loss to the San Francisco 49ers.{{cite web|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1949/10/17/86786725.html?pageNumber=27|title=Forty-Niners Rout Bills, 51 to 7, As Perry, Albert Pace Offensive|work=The New York Times|date=October 17, 1949|access-date=June 8, 2020}} After the league folded he was selected in the fifth round of the 1950 AAFC dispersal draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zdBHDwAAQBAJ&q=gil+johnson+eagles&pg=PA167|title=The All-America Football Conference: Players, Coaches, Records, Games and Awards, 1946–1949|first1=Kenneth R.|last1=Crippen|first2=Matt|last2=Reaser|chapter=Allocation Draft|page=165|year=2018|isbn=9781476631073}} He moved to defensive back and set a team record with eight interceptions in his first season with the team and had a three-interception game on September 24, 1950, against the Chicago Cardinals.{{cite web|url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1950/09/25/86459053.html?pageNumber=29|title=Eagles Rout Cards' Eleven, 45–7 With Interceptions and Fumbles|work=The New York Times|publisher=Associated Press|date=September 25, 1950|access-date=June 8, 2020}} Sutton played three seasons with the Eagles and intercepted 13 passes.{{cite web|url=https://www.inquirer.com/philly/obituaries/20121114_Bud_Sutton__88__Philly_native_who_played_for_Eagles.html|title=Bud Sutton, 88, Philly native who played for Eagles|first=John|last=Morrison|work=Philadelphia Daily News|date=November 14, 2012|access-date=June 8, 2020}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Eagles1950AAFCDraftPicks}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sutton, Joe}}
Category:Temple Owls football players
Category:Players of American football from Philadelphia
Category:Philadelphia Eagles players
Category:American football defensive backs