// Workers AI · dad joke modeIs Al Darby a good runner? He's a darby contender.
| No. 87, 89, 82 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Tight end |
| Personal information | |
| Born | September 14, 1954 Miami, Florida, U.S. |
| Listed height | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Listed weight | 221 lb (100 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Edison (Miami) |
| College | Florida |
| NFL draft | 1976: 6th round, 157th overall pick |
| Career history | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Alvis Russell Darby (born September 14, 1954) is an American former professional football player who was a tight end for two seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Darby played college football for the Florida Gators, and was chosen by the Seattle Seahawks in the sixth round of the 1976 NFL draft. He also played in the NFL for the Houston Oilers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Early life
[edit]Darby was born in Miami, Florida.[1] He attended Miami Edison High School,[2] and played high school football for the Miami Edison Red Raiders.[3] In the 1970 Florida Class AA state championship game, he had a 62-yard touchdown reception, contributing to the Edison Red Raiders' 42–22 victory over Fort Pierce Central.[3]
College career
[edit]Darby accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, where he played for coach Doug Dickey's Gators teams from 1973 to 1975.[4] He played in 35 games for the Gators, starting as a tight end as a sophomore and senior, but filling the wide receiver's slot as a junior.[5] On a Gators team that emphasized Doug Dickey's running game and option over the passing the game, Darby compiled 314 yards and four touchdowns on 22 receptions, with an average of 14.3 yards per catch.[5] During his three seasons as a Gator, the team appeared in three consecutive post-season bowl games for the first time in its history.[4] Memorably, he had a 32-yard reception in the 1974 Sugar Bowl.[4]
Professional career
[edit]The NFL expansion Seattle Seahawks franchise chose Darby in the sixth round, with the 157th overall pick, of the 1976 NFL draft.[6] During his 1976 rookie season, he appeared in one game for the Seahawks and two more for the Houston Oilers.[1] He did not play during the 1977 NFL season, but appeared in six games for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1978.[2]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- 1 2 National Football League, Historical Players, Al Darby. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- 1 2 "Al Darby Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 29, 2026.
- 1 2 Hubert Mizell, "Edison 'Controls' State Grid Finals," Naples Daily News, p. 4B (December 20, 1970). Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- 1 2 3 2013 Florida Football Media Guide Archived May 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, University Athletic Association, Gainesville, Florida, pp. 95, 102, 106, 130, 177 (2013). Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- 1 2 Sports-Reference.com, College Football, Players, Alvis Darby. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- ↑ Pro Football Hall of Fame, Draft History, 1976 National Football League Draft Archived July 14, 2014, at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 18, 2014.