Sam Walton (American football)
{{Short description|American football player (1943–2002)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Sam Walton
| image = Sam Walton (American football).jpg
| upright = .8
| number = 92, 71
| position = Tackle
| birth_date = {{birth date|1943|1|3}}
| birth_place = Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2002|5|9|1943|1|3}}
| death_place = Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 5
| weight_lbs = 270
| high_school = Melrose (Memphis)
| college = East Texas State (1964–1967)
| draftyear = 1968
| draftround = 3
| draftpick = 72
| pastteams =
- New York Jets (1968–1969)
- New Orleans Saints ({{NFL Year|1970}})*
- Houston Oilers ({{NFL Year|1971}})
- New York Stars (1974)*
| highlights =
- Super Bowl champion (III)
- AFL champion (1968)
| statlabel1 = Games played
| statvalue1 = 34
| statlabel2 = Games started
| statvalue2 = 27
| pfr = W/WaltSa20
}}
Samuel Thaw Walton (January 3, 1943 – May 9, 2002) was an American professional football tackle who played three seasons with the New York Jets and Houston Oilers. He was selected by the Jets in the third round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft after playing college football at East Texas State University. He was a member of the Jets team that won Super Bowl III.
Early life and college
Samuel Thaw Walton was born on January 3, 1943, in Memphis, Tennessee.{{cite web | url=https://profootballarchives.com/players/w/walt04200.html | title=Sam Walton | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=13 March 2025}} He attended Melrose High School in Memphis.
Walton was a member of the East Texas State Lions of East Texas State University from 1964 to 1967 and a three-year letterman from 1965 to 1967.
Professional career
Walton was selected by the New York Jets in the third round, with the 72nd overall pick, of the 1968 NFL draft.{{cite web | url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WaltSa20.htm | title=Sam Walton | publisher=Pro Football Reference | accessdate=13 March 2025}} He started all 14 games for the Jets in 1968. He also played in both playoff games, including the Super Bowl III victory over the Baltimore Colts. Walton appeared in six games, starting five, during the 1969 season.
In May 1970, Walton was traded to the New Orleans Saints for a draft pick, which was dependent on Walton making the team.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/167930233/ | title=Jets Deal Walton to NO, Neidert to Chi for Picks | work=New York Daily News | date=May 3, 1970 | accessdate=13 March 2025 | author=Fox, Larry}} On September 18, 1970, before the start of the season, it was reported that Walton had been waived by the Saints.{{cite news | url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/corpus-christi-caller-times/167930489/ | title=Axe Falls Sharply | work=Corpus Christi Caller-Times | date=September 18, 1970 | accessdate=13 March 2025 | pages=12}}
Walton signed with the Houston Oilers in 1971. He played in all 14 games, starting 13, for the Oilers during the 1971 season. He was released in 1972.{{cite web | url=https://profootballarchives.com/transactions/w/walt04200.html | title=Sam Walton Transactions | publisher=Pro Football Archives | accessdate=13 March 2025}}
Walton was drafted by the New York Stars of the World Football League in March 1974. He signed with the team but was released later that year.
Personal life
After his football career ended, Walton became homeless on the streets of Memphis and died of a heart attack in 2002. His teammates had attempted to help him but were unsuccessful.{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/05/16/sports/sam-walton-59-jets-tackle-who-wound-up-homeless.html | title=Sam Walton, 59, Jets Tackle Who Wound Up Homeless | work=The New York Times | date=May 16, 2002 | access-date=3 August 2014 | author=EeskenaziI, GErald}}{{cite web | url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/offensive-tackle-sam-walton-casualty-jets-success-article-1.305608 | title=Offensive tackle Sam Walton becomes casualty of Jets' success | publisher=nydailynews.com | date=October 26, 2008 | access-date=3 August 2014 | author=Martino, Andy}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Jets1968DraftPicks}}
{{Super Bowl III}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Walton, Sam}}
Category:Players of American football from Memphis, Tennessee
Category:American football offensive tackles
Category:East Texas A&M Lions football players
Category:New York Jets players
Category:New Orleans Saints players
Category:Houston Oilers players
Category:New York Stars players