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Ted Dean
Ted Dean
Ted Dean
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Theodore Curtis Dean (born February 25, 1938) is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Minnesota Vikings. Dean played college football at Wichita State University.

Key Information

Early life and education

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Dean was born on February 25, 1938, in Radnor, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Radnor High School, where he earned all-state honors in football and track and was named to the National High School All-American team.

Dean played college football at Wichita State University, where he received Honorable Mention All American honors and earned All-Missouri Valley Conference accolades following his junior and senior seasons.[1]

National Football League

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Dean was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round (40th overall) of the 1960 NFL draft. In his rookie season, Dean led the NFL in kickoff returns and kickoff return yards gained. Dean's on-field success, which culminated in a game-winning touchdown for the Eagles in the 1960 NFL Championship Game, earned him a place in the 1961 Pro Bowl.

Following the 1960 season, Dean was hailed as an up-and-coming star. According to Ray Didinger, George Halas believed Dean was "going to become the best ever".[2] However, Dean's football career was shortened by several injuries and his production never matched that of his rookie season. He was traded to the Minnesota Vikings prior to the 1964 NFL season, but only played in two games for the Vikings (his last two in the NFL) before an automobile accident caused further injuries.[1][2]

Post-NFL career

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Following his NFL career, Dean became an educator in the Philadelphia area.[1][2]

References

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Ted Dean

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Ted Dean is an American former professional football running back known for scoring the game-winning touchdown for the Philadelphia Eagles in the 1960 NFL Championship Game. Born Theodore Curtis Dean on March 24, 1938, in Radnor, Pennsylvania, he starred at Radnor High School before playing college football at Wichita State University. Drafted in the fourth round by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1960, Dean made an immediate impact as a rookie running back and kick returner, leading the NFL in kickoff returns and return yards during his debut season. In the 1960 championship against the Green Bay Packers, he returned a kickoff 58 yards to set up his own 5-yard touchdown run with under six minutes remaining, securing the Eagles' 17-13 victory in what remains the franchise's last pre-Super Bowl era title. Dean earned Pro Bowl recognition in 1961 and played for the Eagles through 1963 before a short stint with the Minnesota Vikings in 1964. His professional career was later affected by serious injuries, including a 1965 motorcycle accident that ended his playing days. One of the few Black players on the 1960 Eagles roster during a time of limited diversity in the league, Dean maintained a notably private post-retirement life, avoiding publicity and focusing on personal interests away from football.

Early life and education

Birth and early years

Theodore Curtis Dean was born on March 24, 1938, in Radnor, Pennsylvania, United States. His full name is Theodore Curtis Dean, and he grew up in Radnor, a location that later provided the foundation for his athletic development during his high school years. Limited public information is available about his family background or childhood experiences prior to high school.

High school athletics

Ted Dean attended Radnor High School in Radnor, Pennsylvania, graduating in 1956. He excelled in multiple sports during his high school years, earning All-State honors in football and competing at the state level in track and field. He was also a letterwinner in basketball. Dean received All-State recognition in football as a running back in 1955 and was named to the National High School All-American team. These accomplishments at Radnor High School highlighted his early talent and laid the foundation for his later career.

College career at Wichita State

Ted Dean played college football at Wichita State University as a fullback. He earned All-Missouri Valley Conference recognition in both his junior and senior seasons of 1958 and 1959. For his overall performance, Dean received Honorable Mention All-American honors. During his collegiate career, he accumulated over 1,400 rushing yards.

Professional football career

1960 NFL Draft and rookie season

Ted Dean was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round (40th overall) of the 1960 NFL Draft. As a rookie fullback and return specialist, he led the NFL in kickoff returns with 26 and kickoff return yards with 533 during the regular season. Dean's most notable contribution came in the 1960 NFL Championship Game against the Green Bay Packers on December 26 at Franklin Field. After the Packers took a 13-10 lead early in the fourth quarter, Dean returned the ensuing kickoff 58 yards to the Green Bay 39-yard line, setting up the Eagles' final scoring drive. He capped that drive with a 5-yard touchdown run that gave Philadelphia a 17-13 advantage, which held as the game-winning score in the Eagles' 17-13 victory.

Philadelphia Eagles (1960–1963)

Ted Dean played for the Philadelphia Eagles from 1960 to 1963, primarily as a fullback while also seeing time at halfback. He earned selection to the 1961 Pro Bowl after a productive second season in which he rushed for 321 yards on 66 carries and gained 335 receiving yards on 21 catches with one touchdown. Early in his tenure, Dean was regarded as a rising star in the league, with Chicago Bears coach George Halas reportedly stating that he was "going to become the best ever." Injuries significantly shortened Dean's productivity after his strong 1960 rookie campaign. He suffered a broken foot in 1962 that limited him to just two games, recording no rushing attempts during that season. Dean returned to play in all 14 games in 1963, starting eight, though his rushing total stood at 268 yards on 79 carries. His career highlight remained scoring the winning touchdown for the Eagles in the 1960 NFL Championship Game.

Minnesota Vikings (1964) and retirement

Prior to the 1964 NFL season, Ted Dean was traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Minnesota Vikings. He appeared in only two games for the Vikings, his final appearances in the National Football League, where he recorded five rushing attempts for 30 yards, one reception for 23 yards, three kickoff returns for 50 yards, and two punt returns for zero yards. A motorcycle accident in 1965, in which Dean was a passenger on a bike driven by Vikings quarterback Sandy Stephens and suffered injuries to his right leg and hip, ended his playing career. This concluded Dean's professional football tenure after five seasons, marked by lingering effects from various injuries.

Post-football life

Career in education

After his professional football career ended prematurely due to injuries, Ted Dean transitioned to a career in education in the Philadelphia area. He became a teacher and was regarded as a respected educator in the region. Dean taught at Gladwyne Elementary School in Gladwyne, Pennsylvania. He worked as a schoolteacher in the Philadelphia area following his retirement from the NFL. He later retired as a schoolteacher.

Media appearances

Television and video credits

Ted Dean has appeared as himself in several television broadcasts and video documentaries related to his NFL career, primarily in game footage and historical retrospectives. He is credited in 21 episodes of The NFL on CBS from 1960 to 1964 as Self, appearing in roles such as Philadelphia Eagles Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles Fullback, and Minnesota Vikings Running Back. These game broadcasts captured his on-field performances during his professional playing years. Dean also appeared as Self - Philadelphia Eagles Fullback in the 1960 NFL Championship Game TV special and as Self - Eastern Conference Punt Returner in the 1962 East-West Pro Bowl TV special. In 2004, he featured as Self in the video documentary The Complete History of the Philadelphia Eagles. These appearances largely stem from his notable performance in the 1960 NFL Championship.
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