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Bobby Bethune

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Bobby Bethune
No. 43
Position:Safety
Personal information
Born: (1938-12-10) December 10, 1938 (age 85)
Leeds, Alabama, U.S.
Career information
High school:Leeds (AL)
College:Mississippi State
NFL draft:1961 / round: 9 / pick: 117
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played–started:10–8
Interceptions:3
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Bobby Wayne Bethune (born December 10, 1938) is an American former football safety who played in the American Football League (AFL) for a single season with the San Diego Chargers. He also played three seasons in minor leagues.

College football

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Bethune played college football for the Mississippi State Maroons (subsequently known as the Bulldogs) from 1957 to 1960.[1] He saw most action in his final two years,[2] playing as a halfback on offense and defensive back on defense.[3] With six interceptions in his senior year, Bethune tied for the most in the Southeastern Conference.[4]

Professional career

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Bethune was selected in the 9th round of the 1961 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, signing for them shortly afterwards.[5] The Chicago Tribune described him as one of a number of "rangy, fast, agile" defensive backs drafted by the Bears that year.[6] He played in the preseason for the Bears, getting ejected from one game for his role in a fist fight,[7] but was cut before the regular season began.[8] In 1962, he again featured for the Bears in exhibition play but missed the regular season squad.[9] However, Bethune signed with the AFL's Chargers to replace an injured Charlie McNeil in the defensive backfield,[10] and played the only games of his career in a major league, making ten appearances and intercepting three passes.[11]

Subsequently, Bethune appeared for three teams in the Southern Professional Football League[12][13] and one in the North American Football League.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Bobby Bethune college stats". sports-reference.com. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  2. ^ Rice II, Grantland (September 7, 1959). "Position-by-position—state". Birmingham News. p. 31.
  3. ^ "Maroons make goal line stand on two-yard line". Bristol Herald Courier. UPI. October 2, 1960. p. C1.
  4. ^ "Two stars stole six each". Birmingham News. September 10, 1961. p. 36.
  5. ^ "No. 9 signed". Spokane Spokesman-Review. AP. January 12, 1961. p. 16.
  6. ^ Strickler, George (December 29, 1960). "3 leagues open bidding for players". Chicago Tribune. p. Sports 2.
  7. ^ "NFL Bears whip Alouettes 34–16". North Bay Nugget. CP. August 8, 1961. p. 16.
  8. ^ Sell, Jack (September 15, 1961). "Roamin' around". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. p. 19.
  9. ^ "Bears to use Atlantans". Wilkes-Barre Times Leader. AP. August 6, 1962. p. 14.
  10. ^ "Chargers put McNeil on injury list". Pomona Progress-Bulletin. UPI. October 4, 1962. p. III-2.
  11. ^ "Bobby Bethune stats". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  12. ^ "Bama team next on Rocket slate". Chattanooga Daily Times. October 16, 1963. p. 11.
  13. ^ "Columbus grid opener to have familiar faces". Jackson Clarion-Ledger. July 25, 1964. p. 8.
  14. ^ "Bobby Bethune NFL stats and bio". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
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