Les Strayhorn
{{Short description|American football player (born 1951)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Les Strayhorn
| image =
| caption =
| height_ft = 5
| height_in = 10
| weight_lbs = 205
| position = Running back
| number = 40
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1951|9|1|mf=y}}
| birth_place = Trenton, North Carolina, U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| draftyear = 1973
| draftround = 17
| draftpick = 438
| high_school = Jones (NC)
| college = East Carolina
| pastteams =
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1973}}–{{NFL Year|1974}})
- Hamilton Tiger-Cats ({{CFL Year|1975}}–{{CFL Year|1976}})
- Montreal Alouettes ({{CFL Year|1976}}–{{CFL Year|1977}})
| highlights =
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 22
| pfr = StraLe00
}}
Les Strayhorn (born September 1, 1951) is an American former professional football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He also played in the Canadian Football League (CFL) for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes. He played college football at East Carolina University.
Early life
Strayhorn attended Jones High School in Trenton, North Carolina. He accepted a scholarship from East Carolina University.
Although he was hampered by a severe shoulder injury early in his college career, he was able to overcome it and become a three-year starter at running back.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1876&dat=19711023&id=eIAsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Ps0EAAAAIBAJ&pg=7048,4160531&hl=es | title=East Carolina Gobbles Up State's Wolfpack, 31-15 | accessdate=February 19, 2016}}{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19721106&id=gbgsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2wkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1251,1422540&hl=es | title=East Carolina Attack Awesome On Ground | accessdate=February 19, 2016}} He finished his college career with 373 carries for 1,673 yards, a 4.5-yard average and 8 touchdowns.
=Professional career=
=Dallas Cowboys=
Strayhorn was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventeenth round (438th overall) of the 1973 NFL draft. In 1974, he was a backup at fullback. He played 2 seasons, while suiting up for 24 games, rushing for 128 yards with a 5.8-yard average and one touchdown. He was waived on September 9, 1975.
=Hamilton Tiger-Cats=
In 1975, he was signed by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19751008&id=r5cuAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lqEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1058,2289529&hl=es | title=Riders Try Tonight To Widen EFC Lead Over Montrealers | accessdate=February 19, 2016}} He played 2 seasons, rushing for 342 yards and one touchdown. On August 6, 1976, he was released to make room for running back Jimmy De Ratt.
=Montreal Alouettes=
In 1976, he was signed by the Montreal Alouettes based on a recommendation from Tom Landry, who at the time were coached by future hall of famer Marv Levy.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19930130&id=0qYsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=wBQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2044,5125031&hl=es | title=Former Players Make Their Super Bowl Picks | accessdate=February 19, 2016}} On July 5, 1977, he tore ligaments in his left knee and was lost for the season, still, he was a part of the Grey Cup championship team.
Personal life
After football, he worked in the New Hanover County Department of Social Services.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19890905&id=60lOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=XhQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6926,2075183&hl=es | title=Char-grilled Chicken Wins Mostly Good Marks From Panel | accessdate=February 19, 2016}} His brother Ken also played football at East Carolina University.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- [http://www.justsportsstats.com/footballstatsindex.php?player_id=strayles001 Professional career stats]
- [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/les-strayhorn-1.html College career stats]
{{Cowboys1973DraftPicks}}
{{65th Grey Cup}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Strayhorn, Les}}
Category:People from Jones County, North Carolina
Category:Players of American football from North Carolina
Category:East Carolina Pirates football players
Category:Dallas Cowboys players
Category:Hamilton Tiger-Cats players
Category:Montreal Alouettes players