| Otis Sistrunk | |
|---|---|
 Otis Sistrunk in January, 2005 |
|
| Date of birth: | September 18, 1946 |
| Place of birth: | Columbus, Georgia, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| Position(s): | Defensive End |
| Jersey №: | 60[1] |
| College: | None (University of Mars)[2] |
| Organizations | |
| As player: | |
| 1972-1978 | Oakland Raiders |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Pro Bowls: | 1 |
| Playing stats at DatabaseFootball.com | |
Otis Sistrunk (born September 18, 1946 in Columbus, Georgia) is a former professional football player who played seven seasons as a defensive lineman, from 1972 to 1978. He played his entire National Football League (NFL) career with the Oakland Raiders. Sistrunk later became a professional wrestler in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). He is a distant cousin to former NFL player Manny Sistrunk.[3]
Sistrunk was one of the few NFL players of his day to not play college football,[2] going directly from high school to the semi-pro Continental Football League in 1969 after having served in the U.S. Marines. While there, he played for the Norfolk Neptunes.[4] After three years in the league, a Los Angeles Rams scout spotted Sistrunk and believed the 22-year-old could play in the NFL.[5] During a team practice, he was observed by representatives of the Oakland Raiders, who successfully worked to bring Sistrunk to their team.[5]
During a Monday Night Football telecast, a television camera beamed a sideline shot of Sistrunk's steaming bald head to the nation. That, along with his lack of a college education resulting in the team program listing Sistrunk's academic background as "U.S. Mars" (short for U.S. Marines), prompted ABC commentator and ex-NFL player Alex Karras to suggest that Sistrunk's alma mater was the "University of Mars." Sistrunk was named to the Pro Bowl in 1974.[6]
In 1976, playing under coach John Madden, Sistrunk was part of the Raiders team that won the January 1977 Super Bowl XI against the Minnesota Vikings.[1] He retired after the 1978 season, finishing his career with seven fumbles recovered and three interceptions in 98 games played.[7]
He also had a brief movie career, appearing in Car Wash (1976) and as a police officer in Alex de Renzy's "Babyface" (1977).[8][9]
Sistrunk had a brief wrestling career in the National Wrestling Alliance. Following the breakup of the Fabulous Freebirds, Michael Hayes was in need of a partner and teamed up with Sistrunk. Together, they defeated Jimmy Snuka and Hayes' former tag team partner Terry Gordy to win the NWA National Tag Team Championship on September 27, 1981.[10] Sistrunk soon retired after deciding that he did not enjoy wrestling, however, and the title was vacated in late 1981.[10][11]
After leaving football, Sistrunk spent two years as a beer salesman.[1] He was then approached about working with the Army as a civilian employee. He spent twelve years working at Fort Benning, Georgia.[1] Sistrunk now manages Cowan & Memorial Stadium at Fort Lewis, Washington and helps with athletic training programs.[1][5]
Contents |
In wrestling
Championships and accomplishments
References
- ^ a b c d e Reinert, Bob. "Otis Sistrunk: Former NFL Star Glad to Serve Soldiers". Defend America. http://www.defendamerica.mil/profiles/feb2005/pr020905a.html. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ a b Conner, Floyd (2000). Football's Most Wanted: The Top 10 Book of the Game's Outrageous Characters, Fortunate Fumbles, and other Oddities. Brassey's. p. 9. ISBN 1574883097.
- ^ "The Redskins Book: Page 94". Washington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/sports/redskins/longterm/book/pages/94.htm. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ "Continental Football League: A Mini-tragedy in Five Acts". Professional Football Researchers Association. http://www.footballresearch.com/articles/frpage.cfm?topic=contlg. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ a b c "What Happened to...Otis Sistrunk". Oakland Raiders. http://www.raiders.com/common/article.aspx?id=1766. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ Rand, Jonathan (2006). 300 Pounds of Attitude: The Wildest Stories and Craziest Characters the NFL Has Ever Seen. Globe Pequot. ISBN 1592289959.
- ^ "Otis Sistrunk". Database Football. http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=SISTROTI01. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ "Otis Sistrunk Filmography". New York Times. http://movies.nytimes.com/person/66031/Otis-Sistrunk. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ "Otis Sistrunk". Internet Movie Database. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0803165/. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ a b c "NWA National Tag Team Title". Wrestling Titles. http://www.wrestling-titles.com/us/ga/nwa/nat-t.html. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
- ^ Meltzer, Dave (2004). Tributes II: Remembering More of the World's Greatest Professional Wrestlers. Sports Publishing LLC. p. 198. ISBN 1582618178.
External links
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