Sam Scarber
{{Short description|American football player and actor (born 1949)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Sam Scarber
| image =
| caption =
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 3
| weight_lbs = 230
| position = Fullback
| number = 30
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1949|6|24}}
| birth_place = St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.
| death_date =
| draftyear = 1971
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 69
| high_school = St. Louis (MO) John O'Fallon Tech
| college = New Mexico
| pastteams =
- Dallas Cowboys ({{NFL Year|1971}})*
- Los Angeles Rams ({{NFL Year|1971}})*
- Edmonton Eskimos (1972–1973)
- Detroit Wheels (1974)
- San Diego Chargers ({{NFL Year|1975}}–{{NFL Year|1976}})
- Oakland Raiders ({{NFL Year|1978}})*
| highlights =
- All-WAC (1970)
| statlabel1 = Rushing attempts
| statvalue1 = 76
| statlabel2 = Rushing yards
| statvalue2 = 304
| statlabel3 = Rushing TDs
| statvalue3 = 2
| pfr = ScarSa00
}}
Sam Willis Scarber (born June 24, 1949) is an American actor and former American football fullback in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Diego Chargers. He played college football at the University of New Mexico and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round (69th overall) of the 1971 NFL draft.
Early years
Scarber was born in St. Louis, Missouri. He attended John O'Fallon Technical High School. He moved on to play at Northeastern Junior College, before transferring to the University of New Mexico, where the team used a triple-option running offense.
In 1968, he registered the school's second longest pass play (88 yards) against the University of Texas at El Paso. In 1969, he was the team's leading rusher (534 yards) and had a school record 38 carries against the University of Kansas.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2199&dat=19691006&id=zBxUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=HjoNAAAAIBAJ&pg=5885,5030595 | title=Only 13,354 There to See 16-7 Stunner | accessdate=March 25, 2018}}
In 1970, the team led the nation averaging 350 rushing yards per game and he was the conference's leading rusher (961 yards with a 5.2 average). He set season school records in scoring (78 points), touchdowns (13) and received All-WAC honors.
He finished his college career as the school's second all-time career rusher (1,531 yards) behind Don Perkins. He also practiced basketball.
Professional career
=Dallas Cowboys=
Scarber was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the third round (69th overall) of the 1971 NFL draft. He was waived on August 31.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19710901&id=bMcsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tAkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4876,83393 | title=Depoyster cut | accessdate=March 25, 2018}}
=Los Angeles Rams=
He signed with the Los Angeles Rams as a free agent on September 2 1971.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1916&dat=19710903&id=gQUhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9nUFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1135,527635 | title=Colts Face Cowboys Super Bowl Rematch | accessdate=March 25, 2018}} He was waived on September 16.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19710917&id=EKNOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tAkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4624,2889598 | title=Sweetan released | accessdate=March 25, 2018}}
=Edmonton Eskimos (CFL)=
The Edmonton Eskimos signed him before the start of their training camp in 1972. He was limited physically during the season, after separating both shoulders in different incidents. He was waived on July 27, 1973.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19730728&id=X1wlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Z6EFAAAAIBAJ&pg=902,6446535 | title=CFL clubs cut many big-name stars including Keeling, Harrison, Gabler | accessdate=March 25, 2018}}
=Detroit Wheels (WFL)=
In 1974, he signed with the Detroit Wheels of the World Football League, where he was the starter at running back and their leading rusher with 606 yards (4.4 average). The Wheels were the first WFL franchise to fold in 1974. The league held a dispersal draft for their players and he was selected by the Southern California Sun.
=San Diego Chargers=
On June 20, 1975, the San Diego Chargers signed him to serve as a backup running back.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1755&dat=19750621&id=ngEkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BGcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=7151,2024402 | title=Sports In Brief | accessdate=March 25, 2018}} He was waived on August 29, 1977.{{cite web| url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1298&dat=19770830&id=mN5NAAAAIBAJ&sjid=-ooDAAAAIBAJ&pg=3581,3699277 | title=Transactions | accessdate=March 25, 2018}}
=Oakland Raiders=
In 1978, he was signed by the Oakland Raiders. He was released on August 16.
Acting career
=Television appearances=
On Cheers, Scarber played the role of Lewis, one of Cliff's co-workers at the post office.
On "Santa Barbara" Scarber played Zachary Terry, the robber who attacked Eden Capwell and took Alice Jackson, Caroline Wilson and Lionel Lockridge as hostages. On Hill Street Blues, he played Dr. Otis Redman, an ER doctor who was a former professional American Football player.
= Film appearances =
After supporting roles in Shocker, Against All Odds, and The Karate Kid, Sam played arm wrestler Harry Boscoe in the 1987 Sylvester Stallone film Over The Top. He has since appeared in small roles in many television shows and movies.
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0769075}}
{{Cowboys1971DraftPicks}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scarber, Sam}}
Category:Players of American football from St. Louis
Category:Players of Canadian football from St. Louis
Category:New Mexico Lobos football players
Category:Edmonton Elks players
Category:Detroit Wheels players
Category:San Diego Chargers players
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors