Paul Ott Carruth

{{Short description|American football player (born 1961)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}

{{Infobox NFL biography

| name = Paul Ott Carruth

| number = 30, 42

| position = Running back

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1961|7|12}}

| birth_place = Hattiesburg, Mississippi, U.S.

| height_ft = 6

| height_in = 1

| weight_lb = 220

| high_school = Parklane (MS)

| college = Alabama

| undraftedyear = 1985

| pastteams =

| statlabel1 = Rushing yards

| statvalue1 = 614

| statlabel2 = Rushing average

| statvalue2 = 3.2

| statlabel3 = Touchdowns

| statvalue3 = 5

| pfr = CarrPa00

}}

Paul Ott Carruth, Jr. (born July 22, 1961) is a former running back in the National Football League (NFL) and the United States Football League (USFL).

Biography

Carruth, Jr. was born on July 12, 1961, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.{{Cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/C/CarrPa00.htm|title=Paul Ott Carruth Jr. Stats|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-15}} His father, Paul Ott Carruth, Sr. (September 25, 1934 – July 1, 2018), known professionally as Paul Ott, was a country music singer-songwriter, conservationist, and radio and television host.{{Cite web|url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/news/2018/07/01/paul-ott-carruth-mississippis-goodwill-ambassador-dies-83/749401002/ |title=Paul Ott Carruth, Mississippi's goodwill ambassador, dies of cancer at 83 |author=Billy Watkins |date=July 1, 2018 |access-date=August 2, 2021|website=www.clarionledger.com}}

Career

Carruth played at the collegiate level at Alabama.{{Cite web|url=http://www.nfl.com/players/paulottcarruth/profile?id=CAR560235|title=Paul Ott Carruth, Jr.|website=NFL.com|language=en|access-date=2019-05-15}} where he played halfback in 1981 and 1982 on Coach Paul Bear Bryant's last two Alabama teams. After being redshirted in 1983, he was a star on Coach Ray Perkins' 1984 Alabama squad. In his three-year career, Carruth rushed for 1,336 yards on 277 carries and scored 14 touchdowns. He earned Most Valuable Player honors at the 1985 Senior Bowl, before heading off to the NFL.{{Cite web|url=https://rolltide.com/news/2006/10/28/Former_Tide_Halfback_Paul_Ott_Carruth_Gives_Back_to_Athletic_Department|title=Former Tide Halfback Paul Ott Carruth "Gives Back" to Athletic Department|website=rolltide.com|language=en|access-date=2020-10-22}}

Carruth played three seasons with the Green Bay Packers. He would spend his final NFL season with the Kansas City Chiefs. He also played for the Birmingham Stallions of the USFL in 1985.

References