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Bob Davenport (gridiron football)

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Bob Davenport
refer to caption
Davenport from 1954 Southern Campus
Personal information
Born: (1933-04-30) April 30, 1933 (age 91)
Died:7/3/2024
Career information
College:UCLA
Position:Fullback
NFL draft:1956 / Round: 25 / Pick: 301
Career history
As a player:
As a coach:
Career highlights and awards

Bob Davenport (born April 30, 1933) is an American former football player and coach. Davenport was raised in Long Beach, California, and played college football at the fullback position for the UCLA Bruins football team.[1] He was selected by the Football Writers Association of America as a first-team player on its 1954 College Football All-America Team.[2]

Davenport declined an offer from the Cleveland Browns as they held Sunday sporting events that contradicted his Christian commitment to observing the Lord's Day.[3] He instead played professionally with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Western Interprovincial Football Union—a forerunner of the Canadian Football League (CFL)—in 1956 and 1957.

He served as the head football coach at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana from 1957 to 1966, compiling a record of 53–41–3.

Davenport later became a competitive cycler.[4]

Davenport passed away on July 3, 2024.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Bob Davenport Is Key Performer In UCLA Style". The Gettysburg Times (AP story). September 19, 1955. p. 5.
  2. ^ ESPN College Football Encyclopedia. ESPN Books. 2005. p. 1236. ISBN 1401337031.
  3. ^ Glausser, Wayne (2020). "How the NFL Domesticated Christianity". Americana: An Institute for American Studies and Creative Writing. Retrieved July 15, 2021.
  4. ^ Dan D'Ambrosio. "Bob Davenport and Wandering Wheels" (PDF). Adventure Cycling.