Dorne Dibble
American football player (1929–2018)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dorne Allen Dibble (April 16, 1929 – March 1, 2018) was an American professional football wide receiver for the Detroit Lions (1951, 1953–1957). He attended Michigan State.
Defensive back
Adrian, Michigan, U.S.
Northville, Michigan, U.S.
Dibble on a 1955 Bowman football card | |||||||||
| No. 84, 87 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positions | End Defensive back | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | April 16, 1929 Adrian, Michigan, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died | March 1, 2018 (aged 88) Northville, Michigan, U.S. | ||||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Listed weight | 195 lb (88 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Adrian (MI) | ||||||||
| College | Michigan State | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 1951: 3rd round, 33rd overall pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Dibble was the Lions' third-round draft pick in 1951 after starring at Michigan State where he earned All-American honors as a defensive end his senior year. The Lions converted him to receiver and the switch paid instant dividends. Dibble tied Doak Walker's record for the most touchdown receptions by a rookie with six TD catches in 1951. Dibble also set the Lions' rookie record for yards per catch average that season at 20.4 – 30 catches for 613 yards.
Dibble served the 1952 season in the military, but came back to star for the Lions from 1953 to 1957 and helped the Detroit win the NFL Championships in 1953 and 1957. The Lions also went to the title game in 1954, the year Dibble led Detroit receivers and ranked fifth in the NFL with 46 receptions for 768 yards and six touchdowns.
In his career, Dibble had 146 receptions for 2,552 yards – a 17.5 yards-per-catch average – and 19 TDs.
Dibble died in Northville, Michigan, on March 1, 2018, of pneumonia at the age of 88.[1]
