Connie Baird
| Profile | |
|---|---|
| Position | End |
| Personal information | |
| Born | April 28, 1934 Rule, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | July 6, 2023 (aged 89) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
| Listed weight | 193 lb (88 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | Amherst (TX) |
| College | Hardin–Simmons Cowboys (1953-1956) |
| Career history | |
| |
* Offseason or practice squad member only | |
Connie Gene Baird (April 28, 1934 - July 6, 2023) was an American football end. He played for the Hardin–Simmons Cowboys and ranked third in college football in receiving in 1956.
Early life
[edit]Baird was born in Rule, Texas. His family moved to a cotton farm in Amherst, Texas, when Baird was five years old. He attended Amherst High School where he earned letters in both football and basketball.[1][2]
Hardin-Simmons
[edit]Baird played college football for the Hardin–Simmons Cowboys from 1953 to 1956. In 1956, he ranked among the leading receivers in major-college football with 37 receptions (3rd in country) and 455 receiving yards (5th in country).[3][4] In three years as a varsity player at Hardin-Simmons, he tallied 71 receptions for 854 yards and four touchdowns.[5] Head coach Sammy Baugh rated Baird as "one of the better ends I've coached, pro or college, and I've coached some pretty good ends."[6]
Later life
[edit]Baird was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 23rd round of the 1957 NFL draft. He signed with th Colts in February 1957.[5] He was drafted into the military in 1957 and did not appear in any games with the Colts.[1][2]
Baird later worked in financial services, including positions with Ford Motor Credit Union, First National Bank of Abilene, and Southwest Savings.[2] He was inducted into the Hardin Simmons Hall of Fame in 1999.[7] Baird died in July 2023 at age 89.[2]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Connie Baird". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved September 11, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 "Connie Gene Baird". Abilene Reporter-News. July 12, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Connie Baird". SR/College Football. Sports Reference. Retrieved September 10, 2026.
- ↑ "Baird Leading Pass Receiver". The Abilene Reporter-News. November 22, 1956. p. 4D – via Newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Connie Baird To Get Colt Tryout". The Salisbury Times. February 21, 1957. p. 21 – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Double Demon: Baird Ends Top Year Saturday". Abilene Reporter-News. November 28, 1956. p. 13A – via Newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Connie Baird". HSU Athletics. Retrieved September 11, 2026.