Speedy Duncan facts for kids
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| Position: | Cornerback Return specialist |
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born: | August 10, 1942 Tuscaloosa, Alabama, U.S. |
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| Died: | December 9, 2021 (aged 79) | ||||||||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 180 lb (82 kg) | ||||||||||||||
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| High school: | Druid (Tuscaloosa, Alabama) |
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| College: | Jackson State | ||||||||||||||
| AFL draft: | 1964 / Round: Undrafted | ||||||||||||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||||||||||||
Leslie Herbert "Speedy" Duncan (born August 10, 1942 – died December 9, 2021) was an amazing American football player. He was known as a cornerback and a return specialist. This means he was great at defending against passes and running the ball back after kicks. Speedy played in two major leagues: the American Football League (AFL) and the National Football League (NFL).
He played college football at Jackson State University. Duncan spent seven seasons with the San Diego Chargers, where he was chosen as an AFL All-Star three times. He also made it to the Pro Bowl while playing for the Washington Redskins. Speedy Duncan is a member of the Chargers Hall of Fame. He was also named to the 40th and 50th anniversary teams for the Chargers.
Contents
Speedy Duncan's Football Journey
High School and College Years
Speedy Duncan was a star player at Druid High School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. After high school, he went to Jackson State University. There, he played for the Jackson State Tigers football team. Even though he wasn't chosen in the NFL draft (meaning he was Undrafted), he still made it to the pros!
Pro Football Career Highlights
Duncan started his professional career with the AFL San Diego Chargers. He played for them from 1964 to 1969. When the AFL and NFL merged, he continued with the NFL Chargers in 1970. From 1971 to 1974, he played for the Washington Redskins.
He was a top player, earning the title of AFL All-Star in 1965, 1966, and 1967. In 1971, he was picked for the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl. Speedy was especially good at returning punts. He led the AFL in punt return average for two years in a row. In 1965, he averaged 15.5 yards per return, and in 1966, he averaged 13.2 yards.
Becoming a Starter and Return King
When he was a rookie with the Chargers in 1964, Duncan played a bit at safety. The next year, in 1965, he became a full-time starter at cornerback. This happened because another player, Dick Westmoreland, was injured.
Later, when he played for Washington under coach George Allen, Duncan became a nickelback. This is a defensive player who comes in for certain plays, often to cover extra receivers. He also continued to return punts and kickoffs. In 1971, he led the NFL in punt return average, gaining 10.6 yards per return. By 1974, he mainly focused on returning kicks and punts, playing in only two games.
Legacy and Records
Speedy Duncan's great play earned him a spot in the Chargers Hall of Fame. He was also honored by being named to the Chargers 40th and 50th anniversary teams.
He made 21 interceptions during his time with the Chargers. This is the seventh-highest number in the team's history! In one game against the Oakland Raiders in 1966, he had three interceptions. This is still tied for the most in a single game for the Chargers. Throughout his career with the Chargers, he averaged 12.0 yards per punt return. His overall career averages were 10.9 yards on punt returns and 25.2 yards on kickoffs.
Life After Football
After his football career ended, Speedy Duncan went back to San Diego. He tried out the restaurant business for a while. He also taught at schools in the area. Later, he moved to Stockton, California. There, he worked as a health and physical education teacher at Webster Middle School.
Speedy Duncan passed away on December 9, 2021, at the age of 79.
See also
- List of American Football League players
