Gene Lipscomb facts for kids
circa 1961
|
|||||||||
| No. 85, 78, 76 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive tackle | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | August 9, 1931 Uniontown, Alabama |
||||||||
| Died: | May 10, 1963 (aged 31) Baltimore, Maryland |
||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 306 lb (139 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Miller (Detroit, Michigan) | ||||||||
| College: | None | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 1953 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
|
|||||||||
| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||
Eugene Allen "Gene" Lipscomb (born August 9, 1931 – died May 10, 1963) was a famous American football player. He played as a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for ten seasons. People knew him by his cool nickname, "Big Daddy". He was also a professional wrestler during his off-seasons.
Contents
Gene Lipscomb's Early Life
Gene Lipscomb was born in Uniontown, Alabama. He moved to Detroit, Michigan, with his mother when he was three years old. When he was eleven, his mother passed away. After this, he went to live with his grandparents.
Gene's Professional Career
After finishing at Miller High School, Gene Lipscomb did not go to college. Instead, he joined the United States Marine Corps. While serving, he played football for his camp's team at Camp Pendleton.
Joining the NFL
In 1953, the Los Angeles Rams signed Gene as an undrafted free agent. This means he wasn't picked in the main draft but was signed later. He played for the Rams until 1955.
In September 1956, the Rams let him go, and the Baltimore Colts quickly picked him up. Gene played five seasons with the Colts. He was a key player in their success.
Championship Wins and Pro Bowls
Gene Lipscomb helped the Colts win two NFL championships in a row! They won in 1958 and 1959. He played alongside other amazing players like Gino Marchetti and Art Donovan. These players are now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which means they were some of the best ever.
During his time with the Colts, Gene was chosen for the Pro Bowl twice. This is a special game where the best players from different teams play against each other. He was selected in 1958 and 1959.
Moving to the Steelers
In July 1961, Gene Lipscomb was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. He played for them until the end of the 1962 season. His last NFL game was the Pro Bowl in January 1963. In that game, he was voted the best lineman!
Beyond Football
When he wasn't playing football, Gene Lipscomb also worked as a professional wrestler. He did this during the off-seasons in 1959–60 and 1960–61.
Gene Lipscomb was recognized for his great career. The Professional Football Researchers Association put him in their Hall of Very Good in 2006. In 2019, he was even a finalist for the NFL's National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. This team celebrates the best players from the NFL's first 100 years.
Gene's Passing
Gene Lipscomb passed away on May 10, 1963. His funeral was held in Detroit, and he was buried at Lincoln Park Memorial Cemetery.
