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Austin Denney
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Austin Cheek Denney Jr. (January 2, 1944 – January 20, 2009) was an American professional football tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears and Buffalo Bills. He played college football at the University of Tennessee.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Denney attended Donelson High School, where he lettered in football, basketball and baseball. He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Tennessee.
As a junior, he was moved from fullback to tight end, becoming a starter, while posting 14 receptions for 206 yards and 2 touchdowns. As a senior, he posted 21 receptions for 264 yards and 7 receiving touchdowns (school record for tight ends). He finished his college career with 35 receptions for 470 yards and 9 touchdowns (school record for tight ends).[1]
Professional career
[edit]Dallas Cowboys
[edit]Denney was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eleventh round (160th overall) of the 1966 NFL draft with a future draft pick, which allowed the team to draft him before his college eligibility was over.[2] He also was selected in the redshirt round 2 (14th overall) of the 1966 AFL draft.[3] On September 6, 1967, he was traded along with Mac Percival to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a third round draft choice (#71-Ed Harmon).[4]
Chicago Bears
[edit]In 1967, Denney became a starter at tight end for the Chicago Bears. His best season was 1968, when he registered 23 receptions for 247 yards and two touchdowns.[5] He was released on September 1, 1970.
Buffalo Bills
[edit]On September 2, 1970, he was claimed off waivers by the Buffalo Bills.[6] He was named the starter at tight end, making 14 receptions for 201 yards.[7] He was released on September 15, 1971.
Personal life
[edit]On January 20, 2009, he died from an undisclosed illness.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ "Vols Mourn Loss of Former All-America Tight End Denney". University of Tennessee Athletics. January 22, 2009. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ "1966 NFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ "1966 AFL Draft Listing". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ "Talented Toe Could Give Bears Title". Eugene Register-Guard. Associated Press. December 13, 1968. Retrieved February 19, 2019 – via Google News.
- ^ "Austin Denney 1968 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ "Baker Cut By Philadelphia". Retrieved February 19, 2019.
- ^ "Austin Denney 1970 Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 6, 2024.
- ^ "Former Vol Tight End Austin Denney Passes Away". Chattanoogan.com. January 22, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2019.