Jay Saldi

Last updated

Jay Saldi
No. 87, 81
Position: Tight end
Personal information
Born: (1954-10-08) October 8, 1954 (age 69)
White Plains, New York, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High school: White Plains (NY)
College: South Carolina
Undrafted: 1976
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played – started:112 – 26
Touchdowns:7
Player stats at NFL.com  ·  PFR

John Jay Saldi, IV (born October 8, 1954) is a former professional American football tight end in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears. He played college football at the University of South Carolina.

Contents

Early years

Saldi attended White Plains Senior High School, where he was an All-American linebacker, while also playing tight end in the offense. He practiced basketball and baseball as additional sports.

He accepted a football scholarship from the University of South Carolina, where he played as an undersized (205 pounds) defensive end as a true freshman, before suffering a leg injury.

The following year, he was moved to tight end and eventually became a starter as a junior. [1] He was a part of a 56–20 win against Clemson University in 1975.

He was injured playing against Louisiana State University and missed the last 5 games of his senior season. [2] He finished his college career with only 15 receptions.

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

After not being selected in the 1976 NFL Draft, he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Dallas Cowboys, because of his all-around athletic ability. From his rookie season, he played behind Billy Joe Dupree and was a standout special teams player.

In 1977, he was named a captain of the special teams unit. He made only 11 receptions in the season, but 2 of those were touchdowns. He was also used as a fullback in the spread formation. In the sixth game of the season against the Philadelphia Eagles, he blocked a punt that was returned for the decisive touchdown in a 16–10 win. [3] He had an important fumble recovery in punt coverage during the NFC championship 23–6 win against the Minnesota Vikings. [4] He was a member of the Super Bowl XII championship team, although he was de-activated for the game with a bruised leg muscle.

The next year, he suffered a broken right forearm in the fourth game against the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cowboys signed future hall of famer Jackie Smith as his replacement. Saldi caught Roger Staubach last career touchdown pass on December 30, 1979.

In 1980, the Cowboys used the two tight end offense more than any time before, allowing Saldi to have a career-high 25 receptions for 311 yards. His best play came in the NFC Wild Card Game against the Los Angeles Rams, making a 37-yard reception to set up the go-ahead touchdown in a 34–13 win. [5] At one point assistant coach Mike Ditka was quoted as saying "Jay runs the best routes around. He's got the unique situation of being something of a combination tight end-wide receiver."

In 1981, he started five games and was used as the third tight end on short-yardage plays and the fourth wide receiver in some third-and-long scenarios. He sustained a knee and ankle injury during the 1982 training camp, that caused him to miss most of the season. [6]

Just as Dupree was finishing his career, Doug Cosbie passed Saldi on the depth chart, so he forced the team to trade him to the Chicago Bears in exchange for a sixth round draft choice (#152-Eugene Lockhart) on May 11, 1983. [7] [8]

Chicago Bears

In 1983, Saldi reunited with Mike Ditka who was the head coach of the Chicago Bears, started 6 games, while registering 12 receptions for 119 yards. The next year, he started 7 games, splitting time with Emery Moorehead.

Denver Broncos

On August 5, 1985, he signed with the Denver Broncos, reuniting with head coach Dan Reeves who used to be a Cowboys assistant. [9] He was waived on August 26. [10]

Personal life

Saldi was the coach and general manager of the Dallas Hoopsters, the Cowboys players' basketball team. He later teamed with veteran sportscaster Bill Mercer to provide color commentary on World Class Championship Wrestling syndicated broadcasts in the summer of 1982. His son John Saldi tried out for the Dallas Cowboys in 2006 and 2007. [11]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XIII</span> 1979 Edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XIII was an American football game between the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Pittsburgh Steelers and the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Dallas Cowboys to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1978 season. The Steelers defeated the Cowboys by the score of 35–31. The game was played on January 21, 1979, at the Miami Orange Bowl in Miami, Florida, the fifth and last time that the Super Bowl was played in that stadium.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Super Bowl XXX</span> 1996 edition of the Super Bowl

Super Bowl XXX was an American football game between the National Football Conference (NFC) champion Dallas Cowboys and the American Football Conference (AFC) champion Pittsburgh Steelers to decide the National Football League (NFL) champion for the 1995 season. The Cowboys defeated the Steelers by the score of 27–17, winning their fifth Super Bowl in team history. The game was played on January 28, 1996, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona, the first time the Super Bowl was played in the Phoenix metropolitan area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Ditka</span> American football player, coach, and commentator (born 1939)

Michael Keller Ditka is an American former football player, coach, and television commentator. During his playing career, he was UPI NFL Rookie of Year in 1961, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, and a six-time All-Pro tight end with the Chicago Bears, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League (NFL); he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1988. Ditka was the first tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 yards receiving.

Wilford Daniel White is an American former football quarterback who played for 13 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He was the third major franchise quarterback in Cowboys history, following Roger Staubach and Don Meredith. White was 62–30 as a starter, was a second team All-Pro selection in 1982, and led the Cowboys to five playoff appearances, with three consecutive appearances in the NFC Championship game from 1980 to 1982. White was also among the last Cowboys quarterbacks in the Tom Landry era, alongside 1988 starter Steve Pelluer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1977–78 NFL playoffs</span> NFL seasonal playoff games

The National Football League playoffs for the 1977 season began on December 24, 1977. The postseason tournament concluded with the Dallas Cowboys defeating the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XII, 27–10, on January 15, 1978, at the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

The National Football League playoffs for the 1978 season began on December 24, 1978. The postseason tournament concluded with the Pittsburgh Steelers defeating the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl XIII, 35–31, on January 21, 1979, at the Orange Bowl in Miami.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1979–80 NFL playoffs</span> NFL seasonal playoff games

The National Football League playoffs for the 1979 season began on December 23, 1979. The postseason tournament concluded with the Pittsburgh Steelers defeating the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV, 31–19, on January 20, 1980, at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Joe DuPree</span> American football player (born 1950)

Billy Joe DuPree is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Michigan State University.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Cosbie</span> American football player and coach (born 1956)

Douglas Durant Cosbie is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Santa Clara University.

Kelvin Brian Martin is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round of the 1987 NFL Draft. He won Super Bowl XXVII with the Cowboys against the Buffalo Bills, giving him his only Super Bowl title. He played college football for the Boston College Eagles before playing ten seasons in the NFL from 1987 to 1996 for the Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, and Philadelphia Eagles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1985 Chicago Bears season</span> NFL team season (won Super Bowl)

The 1985 season was the Chicago Bears' 66th in the National Football League (NFL) and their fourth under head coach Mike Ditka.

Robert Herber Parsons was an American football punter and tight end who played twelve seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Chicago Bears from 1972 to 1983 and later played with the Birmingham Stallions of the United States Football League (USFL).

Keith O'Neal Jennings is a former American football tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears. He also was a member of the Las Vegas Outlaws in the XFL. He played college football at Clemson University.

Kevin Ray Williams, Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals, Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning first-team All-American honors in 1991.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Doran</span> American football player (1927–1994)

James Robert Doran was a National Football League (NFL) wide receiver for the Detroit Lions (1951–1959) and the Dallas Cowboys (1960–1961). He played college football at Iowa State University. He was a two-way player, playing both on offense and defense. He played 94 games as a defensive lineman, usually defensive end, and 115 games as a tight end.

Lloyd Leroy Folkins is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL) for the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football for the Washington Huskies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Martellus Bennett</span> American football player (born 1987)

Martellus Demond Bennett is an American former football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 10 seasons. He played college football for the Texas A&M Aggies football and was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2008 NFL draft. Bennett was a member of five teams during his career, most notably the Chicago Bears, with whom he earned Pro Bowl honors, and the New England Patriots, with whom he won Super Bowl LI. After retiring, Bennett became a children's author and published books under his publication company The Imagination Agency. He is the younger brother of former defensive end Michael Bennett.

The 1977 Denver Broncos season was the team's 18th year in professional football and its eighth with the National Football League (NFL).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cowboys–Eagles rivalry</span> National Football League rivalry

The Cowboys–Eagles rivalry is a 63 year-long intra-divisional rivalry between the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL), with the two teams contained in the same division since 1961.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dwayne Harris</span> American football player (born 1987)

Dwayne Lenard Harris is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the East Carolina Pirates. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL draft.

References

  1. ↑ "Saldi DePasquale Await 2nd Season" . Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  2. ↑ "A Tale Of Two Tight Ends" . Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Blocked Punt Caps Cowboy Rally". The Washington Post . Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  4. ↑ "Broncos, Cowboys Gain Super Bowl 12". The Washington Post . Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Dallas Coach Tom Landry sensed it before the game..." Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Saldi Traded". The New York Times. May 12, 1983. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  7. ↑ "Saldi Kept on Hold". The New York Times. April 16, 1983. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Cowboys Trade Saldi To Bears" . Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  9. ↑ "Gil Brandt happy with latest draft" . Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  10. ↑ "Transactions". The New York Times. August 27, 1985. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  11. ↑ "Veteran Ray Sherman, John Garrett Hired To Staff". Dallas Cowboys. February 14, 2007.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.