Tom Beutler
American football player (born 1946)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thomas Joseph Beutler (born September 29, 1946) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Toledo Rockets.
Bluffton, Ohio, U.S.
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| Position | Linebacker | ||||||
| Personal information | |||||||
| Born | September 29, 1946 Bluffton, Ohio, U.S. | ||||||
| Listed height | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||
| Listed weight | 234 lb (106 kg) | ||||||
| Career information | |||||||
| High school | Central Catholic (Toledo, Ohio) | ||||||
| College | Toledo (1964-1967) | ||||||
| NFL draft | 1968: 12th round, 319th overall pick | ||||||
| Career history | |||||||
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Beutler was born in Bluffton, Ohio, and attended Central Catholic High School in Toledo, Ohio. He played college football at the University of Toledo from 1964 to 1967.[1] Rockets coach Frank Lauterbur called him "the finest lineman I ever coached."[2]
Beutler was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the 12th round of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.[1] He tried out with the Browns in 1968 but was relegated to the reserve squad after sustaining a hamstring injury. He returned to the practice squad again in 1969 after pulling as stomach muscle.[2] In 1970, he survived the final cuts and played as a middle linebacker for the Browns, appearing in four games.[1] Prior to the 1971 season, the Browns traded Beutler to the Baltimore Colts. At Baltimore, he played mostly on special teams and earned a reputation as a hard tackler.[3] He appearing in four games.[4] During the 1970 and 1971 seasons, he appeared in eight NFL games, five of them as a starter.[5]
Beutler also played for the Memphis Southmen in the World Football League in 1974.[6] He announced his retirement from professional football in June 1975.[7]
