Bob Whitlow facts for kids
| No. 66, 61, 51, 53 | |||||
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| Position: | Center | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | February 15, 1936 Shelbyville, Indiana |
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| Died: | October 23, 2020 (aged 84) Forsyth County, Georgia |
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| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Bloomington (IN) | ||||
| College: | Compton JC Arizona Wildcats |
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| Career history | |||||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||
Robert Edward Whitlow (born February 15, 1936 – died October 23, 2020) was an American professional football player. He was a center in the National Football League (NFL). Whitlow played for several teams, including the Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, and Cleveland Browns. He also played college football for the Arizona Wildcats. He passed away in Forsyth County, Georgia, at the age of 84.
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Growing Up in Indiana
Whitlow was born in Shelbyville, Indiana. He went to Bloomington High School in Bloomington, Indiana. While there, he played high school football. He also took part in track and field, where he was a shot putter.
College and Serving His Country
After high school, Whitlow played college football at Compton Junior College in California. Later, he transferred to the University of Arizona. He continued to be a shot putter in college. In 1957, he left college to join the United States Marine Corps.
Playing Professional Football
After serving in the Marines, Whitlow had a chance to try out for the Summer Olympics in shot put. However, he chose to play football instead.
He signed with the Chicago Bears in 1960. Soon after, he was traded to the Washington Redskins. In the middle of the 1961 season, he was traded again, this time to the Detroit Lions. He played for the Lions until 1965. In 1962 and 1963, he played every single offensive down for the team.
Whitlow was then traded to the Atlanta Falcons during their very first season in 1966. After that, he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams, but he never played a game for them. In 1968, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers, but he was released before the season began. He then signed with the Cleveland Browns and played for them for one season. He had to retire from football after having an operation for a hernia.
A Famous Practice Partner
During the Detroit Lions' 1963 season, Whitlow was the center for George Plimpton. Plimpton was a writer who practiced and played with the Lions. He did this for a Sports Illustrated article that later became a famous book called "Paper Lion."
Racing Cars Too!
Whitlow holds a special record: he is the only NFL player to also compete in USAC and NASCAR stock car races. This shows he had many talents beyond the football field!
