Art Baker (gridiron football) facts for kids
| No. 33 | |
| Born: | December 31, 1937 Erie, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
|---|---|
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Fullback |
| College | Syracuse |
| AFL draft | 1961 / Round: 3 / Pick: 17 |
| Drafted by | Buffalo Bills |
| NFL draft | 1961 / Round: 1 / Pick: 14 |
| Drafted by | Philadelphia Eagles |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1961–1962 | Buffalo Bills |
| 1963–1966 | Hamilton Tiger-Cats |
| 1966 | Calgary Stampeders |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Collegiate Wrestling | ||
| Representing the Syracuse Orange | ||
| NCAA Championships | ||
| Gold | 1959 Iowa City | 191 lb |
Arthur R. Baker (born December 31, 1937) is a former American football player. He was an amazing athlete who played both football and wrestled in college. He is known for being one of the few athletes to win national titles in two different sports in the same year.
Contents
Early Life and College Sports
Arthur R. Baker was born in Erie, Pennsylvania. He grew up loving sports. He went to Syracuse University for college.
Football Star at Syracuse
At Syracuse, Art Baker played college football. He was a fullback. A fullback is a strong player who helps block for the runner and sometimes carries the ball. He played alongside Ernie Davis, who won the Heisman Trophy. The Heisman Trophy is a huge award for college football players. Art Baker was named an All-American fullback in 1959. This means he was one of the best players in the country.
Wrestling Champion
Besides football, Art Baker was also a fantastic wrestler. In 1959, he won the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. This made him a national champion in wrestling. He was only the second African-American to win an NCAA wrestling title.
A Unique Achievement
Winning national titles in both football and wrestling in the same year was very rare. Art Baker was the only college athlete to do this in 1959. This shows how talented and dedicated he was to his sports.
Professional Football Career
After college, Art Baker continued his football career. He played in two different professional leagues.
Playing in the AFL
Art Baker started his professional career in the American Football League (AFL). He played for the Buffalo Bills in 1961 and 1962. The AFL was a major football league in the United States at that time.
Moving to the CFL
After two seasons in the AFL, Art Baker moved to Canada. He joined the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played for four seasons in the CFL. He mostly played for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He also played a short time for the Calgary Stampeders.
Grey Cup Champion
While playing for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Art Baker helped his team win the Grey Cup. The Grey Cup is the championship trophy of the CFL. He won it twice, in 1963 and 1965. This was a big achievement in his professional career.
See also
- List of American Football League players
