Don Dawson: NFL’s Forgotten Hero

Don Dawson was one of the best running backs in the NFL during the 1950s, but he’s been largely forgotten in today’s game. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at Dawson’s career and try to understand why he’s been forgotten.

NFL’s Forgotten Hero

Don Dawson was one of the NFL’s first African American quarterbacks. He played for the Chicago Bears and the Washington Redskins. He was also the first African American quarterback to start in an NFL game. Dawson was a versatile player who could also play running back, wide receiver, and defensive back. He was a hero to many African American kids who wanted to play football.

Who is Don Dawson?

Don Dawson was a running back for the National Football League’s Chicago Bears from 1961 to 1965. He is best remembered for his heroic performance in the 1963 NFL Championship Game, commonly known as the “64” game, in which he ran for a then-record 196 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Bears to a 38-24 victory over the New York Giants.

Dawson was born in Detroit, Michigan and played collegiately at Iowa State University. He was drafted by the Bears in the 1961 NFL Draft and had an immediate impact, being named NFL Rookie of the Year after rushing for 946 yards and five touchdowns.

He would go on to play four more seasons with the Bears, compiling over 4,000 rushing yards and 30 touchdowns. In 1964, he was named NFL MVP after leading the league in rushing with 1,313 yards.

After his playing career ended, Dawson became a successful businessman and philanthropist. He passed away in 2018 at the age of 77.

Why is he forgotten?

There are many reasons why Dawson is forgotten. First, he played during a time when there were far fewer teams and therefore fewer opportunities for players to stand out. Second, he played for some bad teams. Third, he wasn’t particularly flashy or charismatic. Fourth, he died young, at the age of just 43.

Dawson’s Career

Don Dawson was an All-American running back for the University of Iowa in 1956 and 1957. He was the first African American to win the Heisman Trophy, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1974. After a brief career in the NFL, Dawson became a coach and administrator.

His college career

Dawson played college football for Purdue University. As a junior in 1955, he was named a consensus first-team All-American and won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first Boilermaker to receive the award. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2017.

His NFL career

Don Dawson’s NFL career began with the Chicago Cardinals in 1960. He was drafted in the sixth round of the 1960 NFL Draft. Dawson played for the Cardinals for four seasons (1960-1963), then was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played for two seasons (1964-1965). In 1966, Dawson was traded to the Washington Redskins, where he played for four seasons (1966-1969). He retired from the NFL after the 1969 season.

Dawson was a two-time Pro Bowl selection (1966 and 1967) and was named first-team All-Pro by the Associated Press in 1967. He is a member of the Eagles’ Honor Roll and the Redskins’ Ring of Fame.

Why He’s Important

Don Dawson is one of the most important players in NFL history, but unfortunately, he is often forgotten. Dawson was an African American player who overcame many obstacles to become one of the best quarterbacks of his time. He was a pioneer for black players and helped to change the way the game was played.

His influence on the game

Dawson’s contributions to the evolution of football were not just on the field. In fact, his greatest influence might have come from his work as one of the game’s first great position coaches. In an era when most teams just lined up and played, Dawson was helping to formulate game plans and develop specific strategies for attacking opponents. He was also one of the first coaches to use film study to give his players a competitive edge.

While Dawson will always be remembered for his accomplishments as a player, it is clear that his true legacy is as one of the game’s great innovators. His influence can still be seen in the way the game is played today, and he remains one of the most important figures in football history.

His impact on the league

Don Dawson is often considered one of the forgotten heroes of the NFL. A talented running back, Dawson played for the Chicago Bears for 11 seasons, from 1958 to 1968. During that time, he was a key part of some of the Bears’ most successful teams, including the 1963 squad that won the NFL Championship.

Dawson was an excellent all-around player who was equally adept at running the ball and catching passes out of the backfield. He was also a very good blocker and was an important part of the Bears’ offense during his time with the team. In his 11 seasons with the Bears, Dawson rushed for 4,451 yards and 34 touchdowns, and he also had 1,959 yards and 12 touchdowns receiving. He was selected to four Pro Bowls during his career.

Although he is not as well-remembered as some other running backs from his era, such as Jim Brown and Gale Sayers, Dawson was a very important player on some very good Chicago Bears teams. His contributions helped make the Bears one of the top teams in the NFL during his time with the team.