Martine Bercher

Martine Bercher
No. 17 (Arkansas)
Position:	Defensive back
Personal information
Born:	February 23, 1944; Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S.
Died:	December 7, 2005 (aged 61); Fort Smith, Arkansas, U.S.
Career information
College:	Arkansas
NFL draft:	1967 / round: 6 / pick: 151
Career history
	Atlanta Falcons (1967); Minnesota Vikings (1968);
Career highlights and awards
	National champion (1964); First-team All-American (1966); First-team All-SWC (1966); University of Arkansas Sports Hall of Honor; University of Arkansas All Century Team; Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2009;

Martine Bercher (February 23, 1944 – December 7, 2005) was an American football defensive back for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks football team from 1962-1966.^[2] He was a member of the 1964 National Championship team that won the 1965 Cotton Bowl Classic, and was named to the University of Arkansas All Century Team in 1994.

Arkansas

Bercher attended the University of Arkansas from 1962–1966, where he would become an All-American. Bercher played under Frank Broyles as a defensive back, and was a sophomore on the 1964 National Championship team.

NFL

Atlanta Falcons

Bercher was drafted in the sixth round with the 151st pick by the Atlanta Falcons in the 1967 NFL/AFL draft.^[3] He was with the Falcons for only the 1967 NFL season.^[4]

Minnesota Vikings

Bercher became a member of the Minnesota Vikings for 1968. This would be the Fort Smith natives' final year of professional football.

After football

Catholic High School hired Bercher as a teacher and assistant football coach in 1969. He moved back to Fort Smith to care for his ill father-in-law in 1972. Bercher would re-open his father-in-law's restaurant and operate it for over 30 years until his death in 2005.

References

^ Bailey, John. "Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame: Martine Bercher; Fort Smith flash kept foes on toes." Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Article. Retrieved on April 19, 2009.
^ "Martine Bercher Jr.." December 12, 2005. Southwest Times-Record. Article. Retrieved on April 19, 2009.
^ "Pro Grids Like Walker". The Dispatch. March 16, 1967. Retrieved January 11, 2011.
^ "Rookies Dropped By Pro Teams". Bonham Daily Favorite. August 10, 1967. Retrieved January 11, 2011.

[1] Bailey, John. "Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame: Martine Bercher; Fort Smith flash kept foes on toes." Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Article. Retrieved on April 19, 2009.

[2] "Martine Bercher Jr.." December 12, 2005. Southwest Times-Record. Article. Retrieved on April 19, 2009.

[3] "Pro Grids Like Walker". The Dispatch. March 16, 1967. Retrieved January 11, 2011.

[4] "Rookies Dropped By Pro Teams". Bonham Daily Favorite. August 10, 1967. Retrieved January 11, 2011.

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