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Eugene Oliver Cockrell (June 10, 1934 – May 16, 2020) was an American football offensive tackle who played three seasons with the New York Titans of the American Football League (AFL). He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League (NFL) in the 28th round of the 1957 NFL draft. He played college football at Oklahoma and Hardin–Simmons. He was also a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU). He was inducted into the Texas Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.

Early life and college

Cockrell attended Pampa High School in Pampa, Texas.

He first played college football for the Oklahoma Sooners of the University of Oklahoma. He left the University due to his job as a professional on the rodeo circuit. He re-enrolled in school to play for the Hardin–Simmons Cowboys of Hardin–Simmons University after concluding, with the help of Sammy Baugh, that he should return to college.

Professional career

Cockrell was selected by the Cleveland Browns of the NFL with the 330th pick in the 1957 NFL draft. He played in twelve games for the WIFU's Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1957. He played for the New York Titans of the AFL from 1960 to 1962.

He died on May 16, 2020, in Decatur, Texas at age 85.

References

1. ^ "1957 Saskatchewan Roughriders (WIFU)". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
2. ^ "Eugene Oliver 'Gene' Cockrell". oldestlivingprofootball.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
3. ^ "GENE COCKRELL". profootballarchives.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved April 30, 2015.
4. "Obituary for Gene Oliver "Buddy" Cockrell". Hawkins Funeral Homes. Retrieved November 19, 2020.

External links

• Stats Crew prroile

• 1934 births
• 2020 deaths
• American football offensive tackles
• Canadian football offensive linemen
• Players of Canadian football from Texas
• Oklahoma Sooners football players
• Hardin–Simmons Cowboys football players
• Saskatchewan Roughriders players
• New York Titans (AFL) players
• Players of American football from Texas
• People from Pampa, Texas