Bobby Watkins (running back) facts for kids
Watkins on a 1955 Bowman football card
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| Born: | March 30, 1932 New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S. |
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| Died: | September 25, 2022 (aged 90) New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Halfback |
| College | Ohio State |
| NFL draft | 1955 / Round: 2 / Pick: 23 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1955–1957 | Chicago Bears |
| 1958 | Chicago Cardinals |
Robert Archbald Watkins Jr. (born March 30, 1932 – died September 25, 2022) was an American football player. He played as a halfback, which is a running position, for his college team and later professionally in the National Football League (NFL).
Playing College Football
Bobby Watkins was one of the first African American running backs at Ohio State University. He played for the Ohio State Buckeyes football team from 1952 to 1954.
He was one of the first players chosen by the famous Ohio State coach, Woody Hayes. Coach Hayes believed in choosing players based on their skill, not their skin color.
Watkins was a star player. He was Ohio State's best rusher in 1953. He also scored the most points for the team during their amazing 1954 season, when they won the national championship.
Playing in the NFL
After college, Bobby Watkins was picked 23rd overall in the 1955 NFL Draft. This meant he was one of the top players chosen by professional teams that year.
He played for three years with the Chicago Bears. After that, he finished his football career playing for the Chicago Cardinals, another team from Chicago.
Life After Football
After his football career, Bobby Watkins had a successful professional life. He became a vice president at a company called Seagrams and Sons.
He was also very knowledgeable about the American Civil War. He often shared his knowledge as a guest speaker at different events.
Watkins also helped lead the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's sports programs. He was the head of a special group that looked at athletics there.
