Tom Scott (linebacker) facts for kids
Scott on a 1955 Bowman football card
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| No. 82 | |
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| Position: | Linebacker, Defensive end |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | September 3, 1930 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died: | August 31, 2015 (aged 84) Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Calvert Hall (Towson, Maryland) |
| College: | Virginia |
| NFL Draft: | 1953 / Round: 5 / Pick: 60 |
| Career history | |
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| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Player stats at PFR | |
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College Football Hall of Fame
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Thomas Coster Scott (September 3, 1930 – August 31, 2015), known as Tom Scott, was an amazing American athlete. He was a professional American football player who played as a linebacker and defensive end. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the New York Giants in the National Football League (NFL).
Before joining the NFL, Tom was a college football star at the University of Virginia. He was so good that he was named an All-American. What made him even more special was that he was also an excellent lacrosse player. He was the first athlete at Virginia to be an All-American in two different sports! He even played on the university's baseball and basketball teams.
Tom Scott passed away on August 31, 2015.
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A College Sports Legend
Tom Scott was born in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1930. He went to Calvert Hall College High School before attending the University of Virginia. At Virginia, he became a true sports legend.
Football Success
In college football, Tom played both offense and defense. He was an "end," which means he played on the ends of the offensive and defensive lines. He was recognized as one of the best college players in the country, earning the title of First-team All-American in 1952. This means he was considered one of the top players at his position nationwide.
Two-Sport All-American
What really made Tom stand out was his skill in multiple sports. Besides football, he was also an elite lacrosse player. He was named an All-American in lacrosse too, making him the first athlete at the University of Virginia to achieve this honor in two different sports. This shows how talented and versatile he was. He also played baseball and basketball for the university, proving he was a true all-around athlete.
Hall of Fame Recognition
Because of his incredible college career, Tom Scott was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1979. This is a very high honor, recognizing him as one of the greatest college football players of all time. The University of Virginia also retired his jersey number, 65, to honor his contributions to their football program.
Playing in the NFL
After his successful college career, Tom Scott was drafted into the NFL in 1953. He played for two major teams during his professional career.
Philadelphia Eagles
Tom started his NFL journey with the Philadelphia Eagles. He played for them from 1953 to 1958. During his time with the Eagles, he became known as a strong defensive player. His skills as a linebacker and defensive end helped his team. He was so good that he was chosen for the Pro Bowl twice, in 1957 and 1958. The Pro Bowl is an all-star game where the best players from the NFL compete.
New York Giants
After playing for the Eagles, Tom joined the New York Giants in 1959. He played for the Giants until 1964. He continued to be a key player on defense for them. His long career in the NFL showed his dedication and talent in professional football.
