Claxton Welch (born July 3, 1947) is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, and New England Patriots. He played college football at the University of Oregon.
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| Position: | Running back | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | July 3, 1947 Portland, Oregon, U.S. | ||||
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 203 lb (92 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | David Douglas (Portland, Oregon) | ||||
| College: | Oregon | ||||
| NFL draft: | 1969 / round: 9 / pick: 230 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Early life
editClaxton Welch was born July 3, 1947, in Portland, Oregon[1] to Cornelia, an elementary schoolteacher, and Claxton Welch Sr., a contractor.[2] His African American parents were natives of Alabama who met while working on a shipyard.[2] Welch attended David Douglas High School where he was All-State in basketball and football.[3] He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Oregon.
As a junior, he rushed for 474 yards and caught 7 passes for 109 yards. In his last year, he gained 525 rushing yards despite missing three of the last four games.
Professional career
editDallas Cowboys (first stint)
editWelch was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the ninth round (230th overall) of the 1969 NFL/AFL draft. As a rookie, he was the fastest running back in training camp,[4] but was waived and signed to the taxi squad,[5] before being promoted to the roster on November 13.[6] On September 13, 1970, he was waived to make room for linebacker Fred Whittingham.
New Orleans Saints
editOn September 15, 1970, he was claimed off waivers by the New Orleans Saints, before being cut after one game on September 22, to make room for rookie running back Vic Nyvall.[7]
Dallas Cowboys (second stint)
editOn October 14, 1970, he was signed to the Cowboys' taxi squad, before being activated to play in 8 games. He is best remembered for his play against the San Francisco 49ers in the 1970 NFC Championship game, when he had 5 carries for 27 yards while giving Walt Garrison a breather.[8] In 1971, he earned a ring as a member of the Super Bowl VI-winning Dallas Cowboys, under coach Tom Landry.[9] He was released on September 6, 1972.[10]
Kansas City Chiefs
editOn November 22, 1972, he was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs. He was cut on August 7, 1973, and signed to the taxi squad.[11]
New England Patriots
editOn October 24, 1973, Welch was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots.[12][13] He was placed on the injured reserve list on December 5.[14] He was released on August 16, 1974, after failing his physical examination.[15] He finished his NFL career with 83 rushing yards and 7 receiving yards.
References
edit- ^ Ireland, Bernard (1998). Total Super Bowl. New York City, New York: HarperCollins. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-061-05885-1.
- ^ a b Li, Sophia (July 16, 2011). "Life story: Cornelia Welch persevered when facing words that stung, eyes that failed". The Oregonian. Portland, Oregon. Archived from the original on January 8, 2020.
- ^ "Dallas Releases Claxton Welch". Retrieved February 11, 2018.
- ^ "Carter leaves Cowboys". Retrieved February 11, 2018.
- ^ "Calvin Hill Cracks Lineup; Dallas to Player Limit". Retrieved February 11, 2018.
- ^ "Welch Back For Dallas". Retrieved February 11, 2018.
- ^ "Former Oregon star dropped by Saints". Retrieved February 11, 2018.
- ^ "Running Key For Cowboys In Victory". Retrieved February 11, 2018.
- ^ Perkins, Steve. The Dallas Cowboys: Winning the Big One. Grosset & Dunlap, 1972. ISBN 0-448-02080-7
- ^ "Day Of Shuffling". Retrieved February 11, 2018.
- ^ "Rookies vulnerable to 'cuts'". Retrieved February 11, 2018.
- ^ "Sports Briefs". Retrieved February 11, 2018.
- ^ Epstein, Eddie. Dominance: The Best Seasons of Pro Football's Greatest Teams. Dulles, VA: Brassey's Inc., 2002. 110. ISBN 1-57488-466-2
- ^ "Wech Out For Patriots". Retrieved February 11, 2018.
- ^ "Plunkett Tabbed to Start". Retrieved February 11, 2018.