Gordie Lockbaum

Last updated

Gordie Lockbaum
No. 17
Position: Running back/Safety
Personal information
Born: (1965-11-16) November 16, 1965 (age 58)
Media, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school: Glassboro
(Glassboro, New Jersey)
College: Holy Cross (1984–1988)
NFL draft: 1988  / Round: 9 / Pick: 236
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Player stats at ArenaFan.com

Gordon Carl Lockbaum [1] [ self-published source ] (born November 16, 1965) is an American former college football player, who was a standout two-way player (playing both offense and defense) in NCAA Division I-AA.

Contents

College career

Lockbaum was raised in Glassboro, New Jersey, and spent his prep years at Glassboro High School where he competed in football, baseball, and wrestling; he graduated in 1984. [2] Lockbaum attended the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts, from 1984 to 1988, where he played wide receiver and halfback on offense, defensive back on defense, and was a kick returner on special teams. [3]

Lockbaum was a starting cornerback during his freshman season, and moved to strong safety as a sophomore. Before his junior season, the Holy Cross coaching staff (head coach Mark Duffner, offensive coordinate Tom Rossley, and defensive coordinator Kevin Coyle) decided to use Lockbaum on both offense and defense. He became the first two-way player since Leroy Keyes of Purdue in 1968.

In Lockbaum's junior season of 1986, he rushed for 827 yards on 144 carries, caught 57 passes for 860 yards, and scored 22 touchdowns on offense; on defense he had 46 tackles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception; on special teams he returned 21 kickoffs for 452 yards. [4] In a game against Dartmouth he scored six touchdowns, [5] and in a game against Army he was on the field for 143 of 171 total plays. [6] He was named WTBS college football player of the year, [4] New Jersey Sports Writers Association college player of the year, [7] and finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting. [8]

In his senior season of 1987, he rushed for 403 yards on 85 carries, and caught 77 passes for 1152 yards, amassing 2041 all-purpose yards and again scoring 22 touchdowns, [9] while continuing to play defense and special teams. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy balloting, [10] second in the Maxwell Award voting, [3] and was runner-up for the inaugural Walter Payton Award (Division I-AA player of the year). [11] After the conclusion of the regular season, Lockbaum was selected for three all-star games; the Senior Bowl, the East–West Shrine Game, and the Blue–Gray Football Classic. He appeared in all three games, seeing the most action in the Shrine Game, where he played five positions (cornerback, free safety, strong safety, fullback, and wide receiver). [12]

Lockbaum was a two-time First Team All-America selection (1986 and 1987) as a defensive back. He still holds several Holy Cross offensive records, including most touchdowns in a season and most points in a season (22 and 132, respectively, accomplished in both 1986 and 1987). [13] Lockbaum was inducted into the Glassboro High School Hall of Fame in 1989, [2] the Holy Cross Varsity Club Hall of Fame in 1993, [14] the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001, [3] and the ECAC Hall of Fame in 2017. [15]

Professional career

Lockbaum was selected in the 1988 NFL draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the ninth round, and played for them during the preseason as a running back, but was released by the team in August of that year. [16] [17] In 1989, he was signed by the Buffalo Bills, who moved him to safety, but he was again released before the start of the regular season. [18] In 1994, he played briefly for the Massachusetts Marauders of the Arena Football League. [19]

Personal life

Lockbaum received a degree in economics from Holy Cross, and became an executive for an insurance company. [20] His son, also nicknamed Gordie, [1] played shortstop in the 2002 Little League World Series for the Worcester team that reached the US championship game, [21] and later attended Amherst College where he was a defensive back on the football team. [22]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jay Berwanger</span> American football player and referee (1914–2002)

John Jacob "Jay" Berwanger was an American college football player and referee. In 1935, Berwanger was the first recipient of the Downtown Athletic Club Trophy, renamed the Heisman Trophy the following year. At its inception, the award was given to "the most valuable player east of the Mississippi." In 1936, Berwanger became the first player drafted into the National Football League in its inaugural 1936 NFL draft, although he did not play professionally due to a salary dispute.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Floyd Little</span> American football player (1942–2021)

Floyd Douglas Little was an American professional football player who was a halfback for the Denver Broncos, initially in the American Football League (AFL) and later the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Syracuse Orangemen, twice earning All-American honors. Little was the sixth overall selection of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft, the first common draft. He was the first first-round draft pick to sign with the AFL's Broncos, where he was known as "the Franchise". Little was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Plunkett</span> American football player (born 1947)

James William Plunkett is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons. He achieved his greatest success during his final eight seasons with the Raiders franchise, whom he led to two Super Bowl wins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Brown (American football)</span> American football player (born 1966)

Timothy Donell Brown is an American former professional football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, where he won the Heisman Trophy, becoming the first wide receiver to do so. He spent sixteen years with the Los Angeles / Oakland Raiders, during which he established himself as one of the NFL's greatest wide receivers of all time. Brown has also played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 2015, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marcus Allen</span> American football player (born 1960)

Marcus LeMarr Allen is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 16 seasons, primarily with the Los Angeles Raiders. Considered one of the greatest goal line and short-yard runners in NFL history, he was selected 10th overall by the Raiders in the 1982 NFL draft, following a successful college football career with the USC Trojans. He was a member of the Raiders for 11 seasons and spent his last five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thurman Thomas</span> American football player (born 1966)

Thurman Lee Thomas is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons, primarily with the Buffalo Bills. He played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Thomas was selected by the Bills in the second round of the 1988 NFL draft, where he spent all but one season of his professional career. He spent his final NFL year as a member of the Miami Dolphins in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pete Pihos</span> American football player and coach (1923–2011)

Peter Louis Pihos was an American football player and coach.

Patrick Joseph Sullivan was an American professional football player and college coach. An All-America quarterback for the Auburn Tigers, he won the Heisman Trophy in 1971 and then played six seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Redskins. Sullivan was a head football coach at Samford University, a position he held from 2007 to 2014. He was previously the head football coach at Texas Christian University (TCU) from 1992 to 1997 and the offensive coordinator at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) from 1999 to 2006. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charley Trippi</span> American football player (1921–2022)

Charles Louis Trippi was an American professional football player for the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL) from 1947 to 1955. Although primarily a halfback, his versatility allowed him to fill a multitude of roles over his career, including quarterback, safety, punter, and return specialist. A "quintuple-threat", Trippi was adept at running, catching, passing, punting, and defense.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andre Ware</span> American football player and analyst (born 1968)

Andre Trevor Ware is an American sports analyst and commentator, and a former football quarterback. He played in the National Football League (NFL), the Canadian Football League (CFL) and the NFL Europe. Ware played college football for the Houston Cougars, winning the Heisman Trophy and Davey O'Brien Award in 1989. He was the first black quarterback to receive the Heisman. In the 1990 NFL draft, Ware was selected in the first round by the Detroit Lions with the seventh overall pick. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Rogers (American football)</span> American football player (born 1958)

George Washington Rogers Jr. is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons from 1981 to 1987. He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks, earned All-American honors, and won the 1980 Heisman Trophy. He was the first overall pick in the 1981 NFL draft, and he played for the New Orleans Saints and the Washington Redskins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Terry Baker</span> American gridiron football and basketball player (born 1941)

Terry Wayne Baker is an American former football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) and the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football and basketball at Oregon State University, where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta. Baker played for the Oregon State Beavers football team from 1960 to 1962, winning the Heisman Trophy as a senior. In the spring of his senior year, he led the basketball team to the 1963 Final Four. To date, he is the only athlete to win a Heisman Trophy and play in the Final Four.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Cappelletti</span> American football player (born 1952)

John Cappelletti is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) with the Los Angeles Rams and the San Diego Chargers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Kelley</span> American football player (1915–2000)

Lawrence Morgan Kelley was an American football end who played for the Yale Bulldogs football program from 1934 to 1936. He was the captain of the 1936 Yale Bulldogs football team that compiled a 7–1 record and was ranked No. 12 in the final AP Poll. He was selected as a unanimous first-team All-American and won the Heisman Trophy as the best player in college football.

Garry Don Anderson is an American former professional football player who was a halfback and punter for nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers and St. Louis Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Osmanski</span> American football player and coach (1915–1996)

William Thomas Osmanski, nicknamed "Bullet Bill", was an American professional football player who was a fullback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). He was briefly a head coach after his playing career. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1973 and in 1977 he was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame.

Lorenzo Maurice White is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Houston Oilers (1988–1994) and Cleveland Browns (1995). He was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1992, recording his best season with 1,226 rushing yards and 1,867 yards from scrimmage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glassboro High School</span> High school in Gloucester County, New Jersey, United States

Glassboro High School is a comprehensive community public high school that serves students in ninth through twelfth grades from Glassboro, in Gloucester County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. It is the sole secondary school of the Glassboro Public Schools.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1987 NCAA Division I-AA football season</span> American college football season

The 1987 NCAA Division I-AA football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division I-AA level, began in August 1987, and concluded with the 1987 NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship Game on December 19, 1987, at the Minidome in Pocatello, Idaho. The Northeast Louisiana Indians won their first I-AA championship, defeating the Marshall Thundering Herd by a score of 43–42.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holy Cross Crusaders football</span> Collegiate American football program

The Holy Cross Crusaders football team is the collegiate American football program of the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. The team is a member of the Patriot League, an NCAA Division I conference that participates in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS). The team plays its home games at Fitton Field on the college campus.

References

  1. 1 2 Carew, Wally (2012). A Farewell to Glory: The Rise and Fall of an Epic Football Rivalry Boston College vs. Holy Cross. XLIBRIS. ISBN   978-1479702503 . Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  2. 1 2 "Sports Hall of Fame / Class of 1989 Inductees". Glassboro High School . 1989. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 "College Football Hall of Fame: Gordie Lockbaum". National Football Foundation . Retrieved April 16, 2007.
  4. 1 2 "Lockbaum WTBS player of year". Courier-Post . Camden, New Jersey. December 31, 1986. Retrieved May 30, 2017 via newspapers.com.
  5. "Holy Cross' Lockbaum scores six TDs". The Journal News . White Plains, New York. AP. October 12, 1986. Retrieved May 30, 2017 via newspapers.com.
  6. McCluskey, Jack (November 11, 2011). "Lockbaum remembers Heisman run". ESPN.com . Retrieved May 31, 2017.
  7. "N.J. scribes to honor Lockbaum, Rakoczy". Courier-Post . Camden, New Jersey. January 25, 1987. Retrieved May 30, 2017 via newspapers.com.
  8. "1986 Heisman Trophy Voting". sports-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  9. "Final Heisman Statistics". Fort Lauderdale News . November 29, 1987. Retrieved May 30, 2017 via newspapers.com.
  10. "1987 Heisman Trophy Voting". sports-reference.com. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  11. Greene, Bob (December 18, 1987). "Gamble wins 1st Payton Award". The Morning Call . Allentown, Pennsylvania. AP . Retrieved May 30, 2017 via newspapers.com.
  12. Fleischman, Bill (February 2, 1988). "Lockbaum Fits in with Big Boys". Philadelphia Daily News . Retrieved May 30, 2017 via newspapers.com.
  13. "2016 Holy Cross Football Fact Book" (PDF). nmnathletics.com. 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2017.
  14. "GORDON C. LOCKBAUM". goholycross.com. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  15. "Lockbaum Selected For Induction In ECAC Hall Of Fame". goholycross.com. March 10, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  16. "1988 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  17. "Lockbaum released; Haji-Sheikh loses out". Hartford Courant . AP. August 24, 1988. Retrieved May 29, 2017 via newspapers.com.
  18. "Bills cut Lockbaum, Johnson". Hartford Courant . AP. September 5, 1989. Retrieved May 29, 2017 via newspapers.com.
  19. "Gordie Lockbaum". arenafan.com. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  20. "Sullivan Group - About". sullivangroup.com. Retrieved May 29, 2017.
  21. Diamos, Jason (August 25, 2002). "Following in His Father's Footsteps, but This Time on the Basepaths". The New York Times . p. Late Ed. - Final, sec 8, p.3. Retrieved April 17, 2007.
  22. "Gordie Lockbaum". amherst.edu. Retrieved May 29, 2017.

Further reading