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Perry Lee Dunn (January 20, 1941 – October 27, 2018), was a professional American football running back in the National Football League, for the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Colts. He played college football at the University of Mississippi.

Early years

At Natchez High School he started every game at quarterback except his first one, only losing 4 games. He also played safety, returner and punter. He competed in the hurdles in track.

As a senior, he rushed and passed for 2,609 yards, registered 20 rushing touchdowns, 14 passing touchdowns and completed 59 percent of his passes. He was named the Big Eight Conference Outstanding Back in 1959.

He finished his high school career with 2,895 rushing yards, 46 rushing touchdowns, 2,822 passing yards, 38 passing touchdowns and 1,097 return yards. He also set different school and state records. He received high school All-American, three-time All-Big Eight Conference quarterback, All-Southern and All-State honors.

College career

Dunn accepted a football scholarship from the University of Mississippi as a quarterback. In 1962, as a junior, he was moved to fullback because of the play of quarterback Glynn Griffing. The team would go on to have the only undefeated season in school history and shared the national championship with the University of Southern California. He posted 262 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns, 41 receiving yards and averaged 36.8 yards punting.

As a senior, he was named the starting quarterback, registering 820 passing yards with 9 touchdowns and 5 interceptions in 8 games. He also led the team to an SEC title and received second-team All-SEC honors.

He finished his college career with 1,820 all-purpose yards, 1,121 passing yards, 16 passing touchdowns, 563 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns and 8 receptions for 97 yards.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Dunn was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (45th overall) of the 1964 NFL draft and by the San Diego Chargers in the third round (24th overall) of the 1964 AFL Draft.

The Cowboys drafted him as a safety, but after having problems playing the position in the Chicago College All-Star Game, head coach Tom Landry decided that it would be best to switch him to halfback. As a rookie, he started the last 2 games of the season because of injuries. In 1965, he started 7 games at halfback.

Atlanta Falcons

The Atlanta Falcons selected him from the Cowboys roster in the 1966 NFL Expansion Draft and moved him to fullback. He was traded to the Baltimore Colts in exchange for a draft choice (not exercised), before the start of the 1969 season.

Baltimore Colts

In 1969, Dunn played in 5 games for the Baltimore Colts, before being waived injured on October 20, after he sprained his knee. His career as an active player ended when he was released by the Colts on September 1, 1970.

Personal life

On October 27, 2018, he died after battling an extended illness.

References

1. "Natchez athlete drew all the coaches". The Natchez Democrat. January 11, 2000. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
2. "1964 draft left lasting impact on Dallas Cowboys, NFL - NFL.com". NFL.com. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
3. "Its Official: Passing on congrats before talking of Perry Lee Dunn - Mississippi's Best Community Newspaper". The Natchez Democrat. September 17, 2006. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
4. "Two different philosophies in draft". Ellensburg Daily Record. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
5. "Falcons trade off Dunn, obtain Good". Rome News-Tribune. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
6. "Colts Waive Injured FB". The Morning Record. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
7. Di Pietro, Bob. "Adderley Traded," United Press International (UPI), Wednesday, September 2, 1970. Retrieved October 31, 2020
8. "Ole Miss football legend Perry Lee Dunn passes away". Archived from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2020.

External links

• Whatever happened to Perry Lee Dunn

• 1941 births
• 2018 deaths
• Sportspeople from Natchez, Mississippi
• Players of American football from Mississippi
• American football running backs
• Ole Miss Rebels football players
• Dallas Cowboys players
• Atlanta Falcons players
• Baltimore Colts players