Paige Cothren
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Natchez, Mississippi, U.S.
Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S.
| No. 36, 45 | |||||||||
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| Position | Placekicker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | July 12, 1935 Natchez, Mississippi, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died | September 1, 2016 (aged 81) Tupelo, Mississippi, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||
| Weight | 201 lb (91 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Natchez (MS) | ||||||||
| College | Ole Miss | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 1957: 22nd round, 256th overall pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Jennings Paige Cothren (July 12, 1935 – September 1, 2016) was an American professional football fullback-placekicker who played collegiately at the University of Mississippi before he became the first player to sign a contract with the New Orleans Saints in the National Football League (NFL), although he would never play a game for the team. Known by his middle name, Cothren spent time with two NFL teams, the Los Angeles Rams (1957–58) and Philadelphia Eagles (1959).[1][2] In his career, he booted 81 consecutive extra points without a miss to join a select group to achieve the feat.
Cothren was inducted into the Ole Miss Athletics of Fame in 1988.
Before Cothren became a full-time placekicker in the pro ranks, he was a versatile fullback and linebacker in high school and college. In its 1957 bowl games preview, Sports Illustrated described him as "Big enough at 195 (pounds) and with the speed needed to be a very fine off-tackle power runner or to sprint around end. Devastating blocker, kicks points and field goals."
As a senior at Natchez High School in his hometown of Natchez, Mississippi, Cothren was an All-America selection on the strength of 10 touchdowns and 21 point-after-touchdown conversions. He stayed in state to attend Ole Miss and was a core player for the 1955 Rebels team that achieved one of the greatest seasons in school history. The repeat Southeastern Conference champions won their final nine games en route to a 10-1 record, which included a 14-13 thriller over Texas Christian in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Not only did the junior rush for a team-high 79 yards on 12 carries and score a 3-yard touchdown, but he helped author one of the most famous plays in school history.
The Rebels trailed 13-7 late in the fourth quarter when Cothren broke a tackle on a crucial 13-yard reception on fourth down to keep the drive alive. After a touchdown moments later, he capped the rally with the game-winning extra point. He earned second-time All-America honors and was chosen to play in the Hula Bowl that season.