Coy Bacon facts for kids
| No. 79, 80 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive lineman | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | August 30, 1942 Cadiz, Kentucky, U.S. |
||||||||
| Died: | December 22, 2008 (aged 66) Ironton, Ohio, U.S. |
||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 270 lb (122 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Ironton (OH) | ||||||||
| College: | Jackson State | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 1967 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
Lander McCoy Bacon (born August 30, 1942 – died December 22, 2008) was a professional American football player. He played as a defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL). He played for teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Washington Redskins. He also played for the Washington Federals in the United States Football League (USFL).
During his 14-year career, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl three times. A "Pro Bowl" is an all-star game for the best players in the NFL. Even though "sacks" (tackling the quarterback) were not officially counted back then, experts believe Bacon had 130 sacks in his career. He played college football at Jackson State University.
Contents
Early Life and College
Coy Bacon went to Ironton High School in Ohio. There, he was a star in both football and basketball. After high school, he earned a football scholarship to Jackson State University. He played as a linebacker and defensive end for the college team. He left college after his third year, before he officially graduated.
Bacon's football achievements were recognized many years later. In 1986, he was added to the American Football Association's Semi Pro Football Hall of Fame. In 2013, he joined the Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame. Most recently, in 2021, he was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame. These halls of fame honor players who had amazing careers.
Professional Football Career
In 1964, Coy Bacon tried out for the Houston Oilers team in the American Football League. However, he was not signed because he had not yet graduated from college. In 1965, he began his professional career with the Charleston Rockets. This was a semi-professional team in the Continental Football League. He played so well that he was named an All-Star in 1966.
Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams
On February 20, 1967, Bacon signed with the Dallas Cowboys. He joined them as an undrafted free agent. This means he wasn't chosen in the NFL draft but was signed later. He spent his first season on the team's "taxi squad." This was like a practice squad for players who were not yet on the main roster.
In 1968, Bacon was traded to the Los Angeles Rams. He played in 7 games as a backup player. In 1969, he became a starter when another player got injured. He joined the famous "Fearsome Foursome" defensive line. This group included legendary players like Deacon Jones and Merlin Olsen.
In 1970, Bacon became the full-time starter at right defensive end. He had a fantastic season in 1971, with 11 sacks. He was named second-team All-Pro. An "All-Pro" player is considered one of the best at their position in the entire league. He earned this honor again in 1972. The Rams Alumni Organization also voted him their defensive lineman of the year in both 1971 and 1972.
San Diego Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals
In 1973, Bacon was traded to the San Diego Chargers. He even scored a touchdown that year by intercepting a pass and running 80 yards!
On January 25, 1976, he was traded again, this time to the Cincinnati Bengals. That year, Bacon had an incredible 21.5 sacks. This was the most in the NFL, even though sacks were not yet an official statistic. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl and was named second-team All-Pro again.
Washington Redskins and USFL
In 1978, Bacon was traded to the Washington Redskins. He continued to be a strong player. In 1979, he set a team record for the Redskins with 13.5 sacks. He followed that up with 11 sacks in 1980.
He finished his football career in the USFL. He played for the Washington Federals in 1983. He started 16 games and had 6.5 sacks for his team.
Later Life and Legacy
After his football career, Coy Bacon moved to Ironton, Ohio. He spent several years working with young people who needed help at the Ohio River Valley Juvenile Correctional Facility.
Coy Bacon passed away in Ironton, Ohio, on December 22, 2008, at the age of 66. At his memorial service, he was remembered as a religious man who had helped many people in his community.
