Elvin Bethea

Elvin Lamont Bethea (born March 1, 1946) is an American former professional football player who spent his entire career as a defensive end with the Houston Oilers of the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Carolina A&T State University and was the first person from the school to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, having been inducted in 2003.

Elvin Bethea
refer to caption
Bethea playing for the Oilers in 1979
No. 65
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born: (1946-03-01) March 1, 1946
Trenton, New Jersey, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:260 lb (118 kg)
Career information
High school:Trenton (NJ) Central
College:North Carolina A&T
NFL Draft:1968 / Round: 3 / Pick: 77
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Tackles:691
Touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Career
Bethea (left) blocking a Chargers' rushing attempt during the 1979 AFC Divisional Playoff Game.

Bethea was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and played high school football and track at Trenton Central High School.[1] He set the New Jersey state record in the shot put in 1964 – 66 feet 4.5 inches - which stood until 1997.[2] He won the shot put and discus competitions at the Golden West Invitational track meet in 1964.[3]

During his career in Houston, Bethea played in 210 games, including a stretch of 135 consecutive. He played at defensive end and guard in the 1968 season and didn't miss a game until breaking his arm in a game against the Oakland Raiders in 1977. He led the team in sacks six times, finishing his career with 105 unofficial sacks.[4]

His career high was in 1973 with 16 sacks, which still ranks as the best in Oilers/Tennessee Titans history, a feat made more remarkable by the Oilers' 1-13 record.[5] In 1976 Bethea recorded 14+1⁄2 sacks, yet was not voted to the Pro Bowl. In a game against the San Diego Chargers in 1976, he recorded four sacks (his career high) and had one fumble recovery.

He also had 14+1⁄2 sacks in 1969. Other notable seasons in terms of sacks were: 1970 and 1971 with 10+1⁄2 sacks in each, 1975 with 10 and 1978 with 8. He played in the AFC Championship game in 1978 and 1979.

NFL career statistics
Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season
Year Team Games Tackles Fumbles
GPGSSckSftyFRYdsY/FTD
1968HOU 1440.5000—0
1969HOU 141414.5100—0
1970HOU 141410.50200.00
1971HOU 141410.5000—0
1972HOU 14147.00500.00
1973HOU 141416.00100.00
1974HOU 14145.0023819.01
1975HOU 141410.0100—0
1976HOU 141414.50242.00
1977HOU 992.00100.00
1978HOU 16168.00100.00
1979HOU 14141.50100.00
1980HOU 14122.00100.00
1981HOU 15142.0000—0
1982HOU 901.0000—0
1983HOU 700.0000—0
Career210181105.0216422.61

Postseason
Year Team Games Sck
GPGS
1969HOU 111.0
1978HOU 332.0
1979HOU 332.0
1980HOU 112.0
Career887.0

Awards and honors

Bethea was Second-team All-Pro in 1969, 1973, 1978 and 1979 to go with his 8 Pro Bowl selections.

Bethea was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2003. He was officially inducted during the Enshrinement Ceremony on August 3, 2003,[6] where his college coach and presenter, Hornsby Howell, unveiled the bust of Bethea,[7] which was sculpted by Scott Myers.

In 2005, Bethea was inducted to the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame [8]

Book

Bethea is the author of Smash-Mouth: My Football Journey from Trenton to Canton.[9]

References
  1. Elvin Bethea Archived September 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine, database Football. Accessed November 26, 2007.
  2. http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl/2003_3677140/pro-football-hall-of-fame-star-track-shot-put-cham.html
  3. "2000 GWI Results". Archived from the original on May 5, 2013. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
  4. profootballhof.com
  5. Member – Pro Football Hall of Fame
  6. "Years - Hall of Famers | Pro Football Hall of Fame Official Site".
  7. "Photo Gallery » Class of 2003. Enshrinement Day » Class of 2003. Enshrinement Day". Archived from the original on September 6, 2012. Retrieved December 10, 2010.
  8. Tar Heel Blue CSTV.com
  9. Bethea, Elvin (2005). Smash Mouth: My Football Journey from Trenton to Canton. Sports Publishing LLC. ISBN 158261881X. Retrieved February 19, 2016.
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