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Johnny Sample
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Johnny Sample | |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | June 15, 1937 |
| Place of birth | Cape Charles, VA |
| Date of death | April 26, 2005 |
| Position(s) | Defensive back |
| College | Maryland Eastern Shore |
| NFL Draft | 1958 / Round 7/ Pick 79 |
| Statistics | |
| Team(s) | |
| 1958-1960 1961-1962 1963-1965 1966-1968 |
Baltimore Colts Pittsburgh Steelers Washington Redskins New York Jets (AFL) |
John B. Sample (June 15, 1937 - April 26, 2005) was an American football defensive back who played for the Baltimore Colts (1958-1960), Pittsburgh Steelers (1961-1962), Washington Redskins (1963-1965), and New York Jets (1966-1968).
Sample had the distinction of beginning and ending his career with championship wins in two of the most famous games in NFL history. In his rookie season, he won a championship ring with the Colts in their victory over the New York Giants in the 1958 NFL title game, which became known as The Greatest Game Ever Played. In his final season, he helped the Jets defeat the heavily favored Colts in Super Bowl III, recording an interception in the 16-7 win.
Sample finished his 11 NFL/AFL seasons with 41 interceptions, which he returned for 460 yards and 4 touchdowns. He also recovered 13 fumbles, returning them for 61 yards. On special teams he returned 68 punts for 559 yards and a touchdown, along with 60 kickoffs for 1,560 yards and a touchdown. Sample led the NFL in punt return yards in 1961.
After his career, Sample released a very outspoken autobiography titled Confessions of a Dirty Ballplayer (1970).