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// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Tom Miner? A minor Tom.

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Tom Miner
Miner, circa 1950
No. 80, 71, 74, 88[1]
PositionsEnd, placekicker
Personal information
Born(1932-05-14)May 14, 1932
Checotah, Oklahoma, U.S.
DiedJanuary 1, 1988(1988-01-01) (aged 55)
Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Listed height6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
High schoolChecotah
CollegeTulsa (1950–1953)
NFL draft1954 (3rd round, 31st overall pick)
Career history
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Thomas Earl Miner (May 14, 1932 – January 1, 1988) was an American professional football player in the National Football League (NFL) and Western Interprovincial Football Union (WIFU). He played college football for the Tulsa Golden Hurricane, and was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 1954 NFL draft. He played end/placekicker in the WIFU and placekicker in the NFL. Miner led the NFL in field goals in 1958.

Early life

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Thomas Earl Miner was born on May 14, 1932, in Checotah, Oklahoma.[1] He played high school football, basketball, and baseball at Checotah High School, earning 12 varsity letters overall.[2][1] He scored 70 points during his senior year of football, earning all-state honors at end.[2] Miner averaged 18.7 points per game as a center in basketball as a senior.[2] He was recruited by many college to play college football.[2] In March 1950, the McIntosh County Democrat called Miner the "greatest all-around athlete" to ever come out of McIntosh County, Oklahoma.[2]

College career

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Miner enrolled at the University of Tulsa to play college football for the Golden Hurricane. He was on the freshman team in 1950 and the varsity team from 1951 to 1953.[3][1] He garnered All-Missouri Valley Conference recognition at end from 1951 to 1953.[4] Miner led the country in extra points in 1952, converting 41 of 45 attempts.[4][5] He finished his college career with 83 field goals made on 98 attempts.[5] At the conclusion of his college career, he played in the 1953 North–South Shrine Game.[4] Miner majored in business administration at Tulsa.[4]

Professional career

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On December 29, 1953, Miner signed with the Calgary Stampeders of the Western Interprovincial Football Union as an end.[6] On January 28, 1954, he was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round, with the 31st overall pick, of the 1954 NFL draft.[7] He played in 15 games for the Stampeders during the 1954 season, recording 24 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown, 40 kickoffs for 2,146 yards, 14 of 30 field goals, 33 of 36 extra points, and four rouges.[1] He appeared in al 16 games for the Stampeders in 1955, totaling ten catches for 108 yards and one touchdown, 35 kickoffs for 1,818 yards, one of nine field goals, 28 of 31 extra points, and four rouges.[1]

On March 20, 1956, it was reported that Miner had been traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for Dick Huffman, Harry Wilson, and John Bodrug.[8] Miner played in all 16 games for Winnipeg in 1956, accumulating five receptions for 67 yards, eight of 15 field goals, two of six extra points, two rouges, and six fumble recoveries for 88 yards and one touchdown.[1] He became a free agent after the season.[1] In January 1957, it was reported that he would likely not play in 1957 due to knee issues.[9] Miner served as an assistant football coach at Tulsa while sitting out the 1957 season.[10]

On April 30 1958, Miner signed with the Steelers as a kicking specialist.[11] He played in all 12 games for the Steelers during the 1958 season, scoring 31 of 31 extra points and 14 of 28 field goals.[7] He led the NFL in both field goals made and field goals attempted.[7] Miner was released on September 25, 1959, a day before the start of the 1959 regular season.[12]

Personal life

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Miner was an assistant football coach at Tulsa again from 1960 to 1962.[5] He entered the sporting goods business in 1963.[5] He was also a scout for the San Diego Chargers.[5] Miner became the Chargers' vice president in charge of player relations in December 1971.[13] He later served as a west coast scout for the Cleveland Browns for 12 years, and afterwards as a west coast scout for the Atlanta Falcons.[5] He died of a heart attack on January 1, 1988, at his home in Tucson, Arizona.[5][1]

References

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  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Tom Miner". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "Tom Miner, Checotah's Great Athlete, Is Sought By Colleges". McIntosh County Democrat. March 9, 1950. p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Tom Miner Hits 22 For Baptists". Tulsa World. December 12, 1950. p. 31. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 4 "Tom Miner Signs Pro Grid Pact". McIntosh County Democrat. December 31, 1953. p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Heart Attack Claims Tom Miner". McIntosh County Democrat. January 7, 1988. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  6. ↑ "Calgary Signs End". The Indianapolis Star. United Press. December 30, 1953. p. 21. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  7. 1 2 3 "Tom Miner". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  8. ↑ "Tom Miner To Winnipeg For Huffman, Two Others". Calgary Herald. March 20, 1956. p. 26. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  9. ↑ Powers, Ned (January 11, 1957). "Power Plays". Star-Phoenix. p. 17. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Miner To Play With Pro Steelers". McIntosh County Democrat. May 1, 1958. p. 1. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Former Tulsa Star Inks Steeler Pact". The Cushing Daily Citizen. United Press. May 1, 1958. p. 6. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  12. ↑ "Steelers Drop Tom Miner". Wausau Daily Herald. September 26, 1959. p. 15. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
  13. ↑ "Svare Fires All Charger Assistants". The Cumberland News. United Press International. December 21, 1971. p. 22. Retrieved August 6, 2026.
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