Preston Pearson
Preston Pearson was born in Freeport, Illinois, United States on January 17th, 1945 and is the Football Player. At the age of 79, Preston Pearson biography, profession, age, height, weight, eye color, hair color, build, measurements, education, career, dating/affair, family, news updates, and networth are available.
At 79 years old, Preston Pearson has this physical status:
Preston James Pearson (born January 17, 1945) is a former American football player who plays for the Baltimore Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League.
He played college basketball at the University of Illinois.
Early years
Pearson attended Freeport High School in Freeport, Illinois, where he was named All-State champions as the center of the basketball team. He has competed in football and track as well.
He walked on at the University of Illinois after writing a letter to head coach Harry Combes. He was moved to guard and became a two-year starter in college. He was known primarily for his tough defense and was one of Lew Alcindor's few players to block a "skyhook" shot (later identified as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar).
Though he had the physical and leaping skills, he never improved his offensive game, finishing his career with a 6.7 point average in 47 games. He was named a starter at guard as a senior, averaging 8.7 points and 6.0 rebounds per game.
He was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association's Hall of Fame in 2017.
Personal life
Pearson joined Pro-Style Associates in 1981 with self-promoter Janie Tilford. Pro-Style began by combining companies with athletic capabilities to produce a bespoke marketing campaign for special occasions. Preston is the president of Pro-Style Associates.
Pearson was hired by the league to consult and assist the league in its organisational efforts during the establishment of the Asia Pacific Football League. Since the APFL was never established, it is unclear what was his position.
Pearson wrote an article entitled Hearing the Whistle, My Life in the NFL, in 1985. ISBN 978-0688041915.
Professional career
Despite never playing a single football season, Pearson was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the twelfth round (298th overall) of the 1967 NFL Draft, despite not playing a single single downhill football. He was first tried at defensive back and was promoted from the taxi squad to the regular roster on November 1, where he mainly played on special teams.
Since leading the league in kickoff returns with a 35.1-yard average in 1968, he was moved to running back and became a captain of the special teams unit. He made his best kickoff return of the year (102 yards). He averaged more than four yards per carry, scored on two pass plays, and had a kickoff return for a 96-yard touchdown.
He was traded by the Pittsburgh Steelers, alongside defensive back Ocie Austin, in exchange for linebacker Ray May and a twelfth round draft pick (#294-Bobby Wuensch).
In 1970, he reunited with head coach Chuck Noll, who was the Baltimore Colts' defensive coordinator. In his first year with the club, he was the starting line running back. He was the fifteenth highest-ranked running back in the AFC in 1971 with 605 yards (second on the team).
He was the eighth leading rusher in the AFC through the first four games until he pulled his left hamstring against the Houston Oilers in 1972. Franco Harris, a rookie who will not relinquish his position on his way to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was recalled. During training camp in 1973, he was converted to wide receiver, but he was forced to return to running back before the season began.
Because of being outspoken and his position as one of the Steelers' representatives during the 1974 strike, Noll's relationship with him became strained. And though he missed five games due to a hamstring injury in 1974, he was the team's third leading rusher.
After deciding to keep rookie running back Mike Collier instead, the team waived him on September 16, 1975. Only six players in franchise history had run for more yards at the time.
The Dallas Cowboys were looking for an experienced running back after losing Calvin Hill and Walt Garrison on September 19, 1975, so they signed Pearson as a free agent and in turn waived rookie quarterback Jim Zorn to make room for him on the roster. Pearson's acquisition and the success of the Dirty Dozen draft were the two primary reasons that led to the team's appearance in the Super Bowl this year, as has been noted.
He played for 509 yards, caught 27 passes for 351 yards, and gained another 391 yards on kickoff returns in 1975, his best season came in 1975. In two playoff games, including a reception for 123 yards and three touchdowns against the heavily favored Los Angeles Rams, he then went on to help the Cowboys win by more than 2,000 yards and three touchdowns, including a reception for 123 yards and three touchdowns against the heavily favored Los Angeles Rams in the NFC championship game. Pearson rushed for 14 yards and caught 5 passes for 53 yards, losing the Super Bowl to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
He was well-known during his time with the Cowboys as the player who established the role of "third down back," causing defenses to use nickel schemes to hide a cornerback or double-team him. He was an all-around player, active in running, receiving, blocking, and special teams. "He's one of the best halfback blockers I've ever seen," head coach Tom Landry said.
Since recovering from knee surgery for a training camp injury, he was banned in 1976. Despite being voted the starting running back at the start of the year, he was only allowed to start just two games in the regular season. He appeared in ten games, totaling 68 yards, one rushing touchdown, 23 interceptions for 316 yards, and two touchdowns.
He began the season as the starter at running back before giving way to Tony Dorsett after the ninth game. He set the franchise record for receptions by a running back and finished second on the team with 46, while still averaging 535 yards (second on the team).
In 1978, he coached the team and set a new club record for receptions by a running back with 47, while receiving 526 passing yards (second on the team).
He had 26 receptions (23 for first downs), one receiving touchdown, 7 carries for 14 yards, and one rushing touchdown. He had 5 catches for 108 yards in a 35-34 victory over the Washington Redskins. He also had a diving 26-yard touchdown reception in the first half, and the Redskins' 47 yards total drive had two intercepts for 47 yards, with two catches for 47 yards on the final drive, including a 25-yarder that set up the winning touchdown at the Redskins' eight yard line.
He was mainly a receiver in the backfield in his last season and retired on July 15, 1981.