Dan Sullivan (American football)

Dan Sullivan

No. 71
Position:	Offensive lineman
Personal information
Born:	(1939-09-01) September 1, 1939 (age 85) Dorchester, Massachusetts, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	250 lb (113 kg)
Career information
High school:	Boston Technical
College:	Boston College
NFL draft:	1962  / round: 3 / pick: 37
AFL draft:	1962  / round: 10 / pick: 80
Career history
Baltimore Colts (1962–1972)
Career highlights and awards
First-team All-Pro (1968) NFL champion (1968) Super Bowl champion (V)
Career NFL statistics
Games played: 140 Games started: 40 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Daniel Joseph Sullivan (born September 1, 1939) is a former American football offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL), playing from 1962 through 1972 for the Baltimore Colts. ^[1]

Early life

Sullivan was born in Boston, Massachusetts and grew up in Dorchester. He played football at Boston Technical High School. ^[2] He earned a scholarship to Boston College, and played college football there as a starting offensive tackle. In 1976, he was inducted into the Boston College Athletic Hall of Fame. ^{[2] [1]}

Professional football career

In 1962, the Colts selected Sullivan in the third round of the NFL Draft. The American Football League's Los Angeles Chargers also drafted him in the AFL draft. ^[2] He chose the Colts, signing for $9,500 and then played backup offensive lineman for his first two years. He played for the team from 1962 to 1972 and missed only two games with injuries. His highest annual salary was $47,000. ^[2] He was mentored by Colts Pro Football Hall of Fame player Art Donovan, who had also gone to Boston College, and treated Sullivan like an adopted son. During his Colts career, Sullivan played every offensive line position, and the team's record was 104-45-5. ^[3]

Sullivan appeared in Super Bowl III as the starting right guard and Super Bowl V as the starting right tackle for the Baltimore Colts. ^{[4] [5] [2]}

Post-football life

Sullivan worked for the Mrs. Filbert's food company in Baltimore from 1966 to 1978, before and after his playing days, rising to national sales manager. ^[6] Sullivan also worked for Eastern Sales and Marketing, run by his college linemate John Buckley, where he became a senior vice president in charge of corporate sales and marketing. After retiring, he remained close friends with Colts legendary hall of fame quarterback Johnny Unitas. ^[2] One of Sullivan's keepsakes is a photo of Unitas and Sullivan's daughter Julie, who has Down syndrome, laughing arm-in-arm. ^[3]

References

1. "Dan Sullivan". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
2. Willis, David (January 31, 2008). "Home of a champion: Super Bowl champion Sullivan enjoying life in Andover". The Andover Townsman. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
3. Klingaman, Mike (May 31, 2019). "Catching Up With former Baltimore Colts lineman Dan Sullivan". Baltimore Sun.
4. "Super Bowl III". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
5. "Super Bowl V". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 18, 2020.
6. Klingaman, Mike. "Unitas' former linemen still come to his defense Ex-Colts who did well feel pain for Unitas and his money woes".