Scott Hunter (American football)

Last updated

Scott Hunter
No. 16, 10
Position: Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1947-11-19) November 19, 1947 (age 76)
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:205 lb (93 kg)
Career information
High school: Vigor (Prichard, Alabama)
College: Alabama
NFL draft: 1971  / Round: 6 / Pick: 140
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Cmp-Att:335-748
Passing yards:4,756
Touchdowns:23
Interceptions:38
Player stats at PFR

James Scott Hunter (born November 19, 1947) is a former professional football player, a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons in the 1970s. He played for the Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Atlanta Falcons, and Detroit Lions.

Contents

Early years

Born in Mobile, Alabama, Hunter graduated from Vigor High School in Prichard. [1] After his senior season, Hunter was named AAAA All-Alabama by the Associated Press. [2] He committed to Alabama on December 4, 1965. [3]

College career

As NCAA rules prohibited freshmen from playing on varsity football teams at the time, Hunter played on the freshman-only Crimson Tide in 1966. [4] He took a redshirt season in 1967, but became the starter in 1968. [5] In 1969, Alabama hosted the Ole Miss Rebels in a nationally televised game on October 4 in prime time for ABC. In a race of offenses, Hunter outgunned Rebel quarterback Archie Manning in a 33-32 win. [6] At the end of his senior year in 1970, Hunter caught a go-ahead touchdown in the 1970 Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl en route to a tie with Oklahoma. [7]

Professional career

Green Bay Packers

Hunter was selected in the sixth round of the 1971 NFL draft by the Green Bay Packers, the 140th overall pick. [8] He started ten games when starting quarterback Bart Starr was injured. [9] Hunter started the entire 1972 season and led the Packers to their first division title and playoff appearance since 1967 under the tutelage of Starr, who served that season as quarterbacks coach. [10] In 1973, Hunter played only a fraction of the time, embroiled in a quarterback competition with Jerry Tagge and Jim Del Gaizo. [11]

Buffalo Bills

After signing a multi-year deal with the Packers in May 1974, [12] Hunter was traded in July to the Buffalo Bills after participating in the 1974 NFL strike. [13] [14] The Bills sent Pete Van Valkenberg and Steve Okoniewski to the Packers in the trade. [15] Playing as backup to Joe Ferguson, Hunter made only one appearance all year, helping the team to a win against the Atlanta Falcons on October 16. [16] He was waived during the 1975 training camp and did not play in the NFL that season, instead running unsuccessfully for local government in Mobile. [17]

Atlanta Falcons

Hunter landed with the Atlanta Falcons in 1976, starting the season on the bench and gaining playing time as the season went on. [18] Hunter started seven games in 1977, until starter Steve Bartkowski returned from knee surgery and took over as the full-time starter. [19] Hunter was released after the season, and did not play in the NFL in 1978.

Detroit Lions

Hunter's last season in the NFL was 1979 with the Detroit Lions, where he backed up Jeff Komlo but still saw some action when the rookie struggled and occasionally challenged for the starting job. [20]

After football

Hunter returned to Alabama and worked as a sportscaster in Mobile for nearly two decades. He worked for WKRG-TV, the CBS affiliate, and then for WPMI-TV, the NBC affiliate. He then worked as an investment broker. [21]

He also co-hosts a seasonal radio show on WNSP 105.5 FM called "Talkin' Football" (pronounced Tawlkin-Football) with former Auburn lineman, Tracy Turner and legendary WNSP personality, Dave Schultz. Scott remains great friends with Archie Manning to this day and the two have extracontinental text conversations when Archie is in Europe. Hunter is known for "dropping it in the bucket" and being one of five Alabama quarterbacks (Blake Sims, Tua Tagovailoa, Mac Jones, and Bryce Young) to throw for 400 yards in a game. Hunter is famous for "Keeping It Between the Lines" and not allowing coaching hot seat talk or "who danced with who on Saturday night" to derail conversations.

Prior to its closure, "Talkin' Football" was frequently hosted from John Word's Captain's Table, which was in the shadow of the USS Alabama . Hunter would often say that their steaks were "so big that they hang off your plate".

Hunter is also a commercial pilot with over 4,000 flying hours. He flies a Cessna 182. [22]

Hunter was inducted in the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. [23] He is married with three children, and resided in Daphne, Alabama in the late 2000s. [14] He had previously lived in De Pere, Wisconsin when he played with the Packers. [24]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bart Starr</span> American football player, coach, and executive (1934–2019)

Bryan Bartlett Starr was an American professional football quarterback and head coach for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and was selected by the Packers in the 17th round of the 1956 NFL draft, for whom he played for 16 seasons until 1971. Starr is the only quarterback in NFL history to lead a team to three consecutive league championships (1965–1967). He led his team to victories in the first two Super Bowls: I and II. As the Packers' head coach, he was less successful, compiling a 52–76–3 (.408) record from 1975 through 1983.

Carl Richard Todd is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for the New York Jets and New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL) from 1976 to 1986. Like former Jets quarterback Joe Namath and Raiders quarterback Ken Stabler, he played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide under coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Todd was selected by the Jets in the first round of the 1976 NFL draft with the sixth overall pick.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Nussmeier</span> American football player and coach (born 1970)

Douglas Keith Nussmeier is an American football coach and former player who is the quarterbacks coach for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played professionally as a quarterback in the NFL and Canadian Football League (CFL). Nussmeier played college football for the Idaho Vandals football, winning the Walter Payton Award as the most outstanding offensive player in NCAA Division I-AA. He was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the fourth round of the 1994 NFL Draft. He finished his playing career with the CFL's BC Lions.

Eric Felece Curry is an American former professional football player who was a defensive end for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) during the 1990s. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and earned consensus All-American honors. A first-round pick in the 1993 NFL draft, he played professionally for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers and Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL.

The 1970 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1970 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 76th overall and 37th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his 13th year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished season with six wins five losses and one tie and with a tie against Oklahoma in the Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl.

The 1960 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1960 NCAA University Division football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 66th overall and 27th season as a member of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). The team was led by head coach Bear Bryant, in his third year, and played their home games at Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa and Legion Field in Birmingham, Alabama. They finished with a record of eight wins, one loss and two ties and with a tie against Texas in the Bluebonnet Bowl.

Dennis Eugene Havig is a former American football guard in the National Football League (NFL). After playing college football for the Colorado Buffaloes, he was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the eighth round of the 1971 NFL Draft. He later played for the Houston Oilers and Green Bay Packers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1925 Alabama Crimson Tide football team</span> American college football season

The 1925 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1925 Southern Conference football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 32nd overall and 4th season as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon). The team was led by head coach Wallace Wade, in his third year, and played their home games at Denny Field in Tuscaloosa, at Rickwood Field in Birmingham and at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. They finished the season with their first ever perfect record, as Southern Conference champions, defeated Washington in the Rose Bowl, and were retroactively named as national champion for 1925 by several major selectors.

The 1926 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1926 college football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 33rd overall and 5th season as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon). The team was led by head coach Wallace Wade, in his fourth year, and played their home games at Denny Field in Tuscaloosa, at Rickwood Field in Birmingham and at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of nine wins, zero losses and one tie, as Southern Conference champions. They tied undefeated Stanford in the Rose Bowl. The 1926 Alabama team was retroactively named as the 1926 national champion by Berryman QPRS, Billingsley Report, College Football Researchers Association, and Poling System, and as a co-national champion by the Helms Athletic Foundation and National Championship Foundation. The team was ranked No. 9 in the nation in the Dickinson System ratings released in December 1926.

The 1927 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama in the 1927 Southern Conference football season. It was the Crimson Tide's 34th overall and 6th season as a member of the Southern Conference (SoCon). The team was led by head coach Wallace Wade, in his fifth year, and played their home games at Denny Field in Tuscaloosa, at Rickwood Field and Legion Field in Birmingham and at the Cramton Bowl in Montgomery, Alabama. They finished the season with a record of five wins, four losses and one tie.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A. J. McCarron</span> American football player (born 1990)

Raymond Anthony "A. J." McCarron Jr. is an American football quarterback for the St. Louis Battlehawks of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, becoming the first quarterback to win consecutive BCS National Championship Games with victories in 2012 and 2013. He also received the Maxwell, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm, and Kellen Moore Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chance Warmack</span> American football player (born 1991)

Chance Warmack is an American former professional football player who was a guard in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Tennessee Titans tenth overall in the 2013 NFL draft. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was a three time National Champion and earned unanimous All-American honors during his senior year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ha Ha Clinton-Dix</span> American football player (born 1992)

Ha'Sean Treshon "Ha Ha" Clinton-Dix is an American former professional football player who was a safety for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Green Bay Packers. He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide and was selected by the Packers in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. He later played for the Washington Redskins and the Chicago Bears, before briefly appearing with the Las Vegas Raiders. He is currently the Director of Player Development for the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Blake Sims is an American high school football coach and former player. He is the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Mt. Bethel Christian Academy, a position he has held since 2023. He played college football at Alabama and was the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback in 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. K. Scott</span> American football player (born 1995)

John Kimball Scott III is an American football punter for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, and was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jalen Hurts</span> American football player (born 1998)

Jalen Alexander Hurts is an American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He began his college football career with the Alabama Crimson Tide, leading the team to consecutive College Football Playoff National Championship appearances in 2016 and 2017. After being benched for Tua Tagovailoa during Alabama's victory in the latter championship, Hurts spent one season as a backup in 2018. He played his final season with the Oklahoma Sooners, leading them to an appearance in the 2019–20 College Football Playoff.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mac Jones</span> American football player (born 1998)

Michael McCorkle "Mac" Jones is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). Jones played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he set the NCAA season records for passer rating and completion percentage as a junior en route to winning the 2021 College Football Playoff National Championship. He was selected by the New England Patriots in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Xavier McKinney</span> American football player (born 1999)

Xavier Avis McKinney is an American football safety for the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Alabama, and was selected by the New York Giants in the second round of the 2020 NFL draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryce Young</span> American football player (born 2001)

Bryce Young is an American football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, setting the school record for most passing yards in a single game (559) and winning several player of the year awards in 2021, including the Heisman Trophy. Young was selected first overall by the Panthers in the 2023 NFL draft.

References

  1. "Scott Hunter". databaseFootball.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  2. "Anniston's Tolleson Named to 4A All-State Team". No. Anniston Star. December 12, 1965. Retrieved October 21, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  3. "Scott Hunter Picks Alabama". Montgomery Advertiser. December 7, 1965. Retrieved October 21, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Crimson Tide Frosh Have Trouble Before Drowning Baby Tigers, 6-3". Montgomery Advertiser. November 20, 1966. Retrieved October 21, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  5. "Offensive Line Gets Credit From Hunter". Montgomery Advertiser. October 25, 1968. Retrieved October 21, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  6. Stephenson, Creg (September 25, 2019). "'Dang, we're behind again?': Scott Hunter, Archie Manning recall their 1969 shootout". AL.com. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  7. Mack, Darrell (January 2, 1971). "Trick Play Figured In Bluebonnet Tie". Casper Star-Tribune. Retrieved October 21, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Scott Hunter". Pro-Football-Reference.Com. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  9. Inabinett, Mark (May 26, 2019). "Scott Hunter on Bart Starr: 'The epitome of class'". AL.com. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  10. Maule, Tex (October 30, 1972). "Green Bay turns with the Tide". Sports Illustrated. p. 30.
  11. "Pack back where it started". Fond du Lac Commonwealth Reporter. October 9, 1973. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  12. "Hunter signs with Packers". Milwaukee Sentinel. May 30, 1974. p. 3-part 2.
  13. "Bills acquire Scott Hunter". Spartanburg (SC) Herald. Associated Press. July 30, 1974. p. B3.
  14. 1 2 Crowe, Jerry (August 25, 2008). "Hunter knows about replacing a legend". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  15. "Hunter of Packers Traded to Bills". New York Times. July 30, 1974. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  16. Bailey, Budd (October 16, 2017). "This Day in Bills History, Oct. 16: Sleepwalking to a win". Buffalo News. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  17. Marshall, Joe (October 24, 1977). "The fly now, swoop later plan". Sports Illustrated Vault. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  18. "Scott Hunter alive, winning in Atlanta". Long Beach Independent. November 1, 1976. Retrieved October 21, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  19. "Scott Hunter is trump card for Bennett". Florence (AL) Times. UPI. September 21, 1977. p. 35.
  20. "Will Clark tab Hunter as starter?". Detroit Free Press. October 8, 1979. Retrieved October 21, 2020 via Newspapers.com.
  21. Christl, Cliff (December 4, 2002). "Whatever happened to...Scott Hunter?". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. p. 4C.
  22. Vaught, Lindsay (July 29, 2017). "Scott Hunter holds unique place in football history". The Madison Record. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  23. "Inductees: Scott Hunter". Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. August 21, 2019. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
  24. Langenkamp, Don (February 14, 1973). "Scott Hunter looks for 'two more wins' in 1973". Oshkosh Northwestern. Retrieved October 21, 2020 via Newspapers.com.