Merrill Douglas

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Merrill Douglas
refer to caption
Douglas, circa 1957
No. 36, 34, 33
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1936-03-15) March 15, 1936 (age 85)
Salt Lake City, Utah
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:204 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school:Olympus (UT)
College:Utah
NFL Draft:1958 / Round: 6 / Pick: 65
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:55
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Merrill George Douglas (born March 15, 1936 in Salt Lake City, Utah) is a former American football running back in the National Football League for the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at the University of Utah.

Early years[]

Douglas attended Granite High School, before transferring to Olympus High School. He received All-state honors at fullback twice. He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Utah.

As a junior, he became a starter and had 83 carries for 504 yards (second on the team), with a 6.1-yard average and 7 touchdowns. As a senior, he posted 97 carries for 646 yards (second in the league), with a 6.7-yard average and 10 touchdowns, while also leading the conference in scoring.[1] He also lettered in baseball.

In 1988, he was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame.[2]

Professional career[]

Chicago Bears[]

Douglas was selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round (65th overall) of the 1958 NFL Draft. He was a backup fullback behind Rick Casares. He was released in 1961.

Dallas Cowboys[]

On September 7, 1961, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys and played in six games.[3] On April 22, 1962, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for offensive tackle Ed Nutting.[4]

Cleveland Browns[]

On September 10, 1962, he was waived by the Cleveland Browns.[5] He was one of the team's final two cuts as it trimmed its roster to 36, the regular season limit at the time.[6]

Philadelphia Eagles[]

On September 18, 1962, he was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles.[7] He was the third-string fullback.[8]

New York Jets[]

On September 3, 1963, he was released by the New York Jets.[9]

Personal life[]

Douglas was a side judge in the NFL for eleven seasons from 1981 through 1991, wearing uniform number 102.[10] He worked for the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department for 25 years.

References[]

  1. ^ "Publicists Pick Five Utes On Skyline Team". Deseret News. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  2. ^ "Utah Sports Hall Of Fame To Add Five Members". Deseret News. 1988-11-13. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  3. ^ "Merrill Douglas Goes To Dallas". Deseret News. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  4. ^ "Browns Swap Nutting to Dallas for Douglas". Park City Daily News. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  5. ^ "Browns Ask Waivers On Back Field Men". The Gazette. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  6. ^ "Esxtra Point". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved February 16, 2020.
  7. ^ "Eagles Drop Two But Sign Pair". Star-News. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  8. ^ "Hornung Faces Desperate Bears". Sarasota Journal. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  9. ^ "Those Let Loose". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
  10. ^ "Douglas Went To Pros As A Player, Then Official". Deseret News. 1988-11-13. Retrieved February 3, 2018.
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