Ralph Coleman (American football)
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Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S.
| No. 86 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Linebacker | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born | August 31, 1950 Spartanburg, South Carolina, U.S. | ||||
| Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||
| Weight | 216 lb (98 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school | Carver (Spartanburg) | ||||
| College | North Carolina A&T | ||||
| NFL draft | 1972: 8th round, 208th overall pick | ||||
| Career history | |||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Ralph Donnell Coleman (born August 31, 1950) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the North Carolina A&T Aggies.
Coleman is currently serving a life sentence for the 1998 murder of a nightclub bouncer.
Coleman attended Carver High School, where he was a part of the last graduating class, before the school merged with Spartanburg High School. He was a three-sport athlete (football, basketball and track). In 1967, as a two-way player (linebacker and offensive tackle), he helped his football team win a state championship.
He accepted a football scholarship from North Carolina A&T University to play defensive tackle. He was converted to linebacker and became a four-year starter. In 1968, he was a part of a team that finished the season 8–1 overall (6–1 in conference play) and won the black college football national championship.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Coleman was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round (208th overall) of the 1972 NFL draft.[1] The Cowboys saw great potential and he became the first African-American linebacker to make the team in franchise history.
He started the year in the taxi squad, before being promoted to the active roster after Chuck Howley was injured. He played mainly on special teams, including the playoffs.
After not agreeing with his playing time and contract numbers, he forced the team to trade him to the Houston Oilers in exchange for a conditional draft pick (not exercised) on July 13, 1973.[2]
Houston Oilers
Coleman was waived by the Houston Oilers before the start of the 1973 season.[3] In March 1974, he was selected by the Birmingham Americans in the 24th round (282nd overall) of the WFL Pro Draft.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
On March 23, 1976, he was signed by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a free agent.[4][5] He was released on July 12.[6]