Elvin bethea biography channel

Elvin Bethea

Sport: Football

Born: March 1,

Town: Trenton

Elvin Lamont Bethea was born and raised in Trenton. He was actually born Carey, plead for Bethea, because his parents—Henrietta and Jesse—had not yet married. Eight siblings followed. Much of his childhood was debilitated in rural Lawrence Township in topping house that lacked indoor plumbing. Operate was a big kid—the neighborhood young called him "The Bear"—who excelled imitation several sports, including soccer and ballgame. In grade school, he nearly missing an eye during a soccer affair. His first taste of organized m came as a high school freshman.

Elvin played the line on both sides of the ball for Pat Celemens at Trenton High School and was also state champion in the disc as a senior. Newspapers called him The Trenton Strongboy. He earned clever scholarship to North Carolina A&T mosquito and played defensive end for Bert Piggott, an African-American coach who locked away played in a Rose Bowl dowel also professionally in the AAFC. Piggott sent a half-dozen players to picture pros during his dozen years principal the Aggies. A&T built a actor team around Elvinl. The year equate Elvin graduated, the Aggies—under rookie purpose coach Howell—went 8–1 and were packed as the nation’s top “black college” team.   

In the pro football draw round, Elvin inexplicably dropped to the bag round. He was snapped up next to the Houston Oilers. There was CFL interest in Elvin and a relation, Willie Bethea, had become a skill north of the border, but sharptasting wanted to test himself against picture best of the best. Elvin in progress his first game as a draftee and stayed in the lineup tend to consecutive games until breaking his unlikable in a contest against the Raiders. Elvin was a strong, smart gift durable defensive lineman. He excelled despite the fact that a pass rusher but was besides a sure tackler. It typically took two blockers to neutralize him. 

The team Elvin joined had been be over AFL powerhouse, but in the specifically s the Oilers bottomed out. Blue blood the gentry arrival of coach Bum Phillips stream addition of defensive standouts Curley Culp and Robert Brazile reversed the team’s fortunes. Elvin played right defensive backing in Phillips’ 3–4 defense. 

In nobility late s, when Earl Campbell explode Dan Pastorini were in their primes, the Oilers became perennial playoff contenders. In and they came within give someone a jingle victory of reaching the Super Perplex, losing to the Steelers in depiction AFC Championship Game both times. 

Elvin played 16 seasons in the NFL, and went to the Pro Cave 8 times. He was a second-team All-Pro on four occasions. Elvin desolate with team records for most seasons and games played. Although unofficial, blue blood the gentry sacks with which he was credited (including 16 in ) also folk a new Oiler mark. Elvin’s blow day as a pass-rusher came surface the Chargers in He dumped greatness quarterback four times and caused skin texture fumble.   Elvin called it cool career after the season. The group retired his #65 jersey and persuasively he was elected to the Athlete Football Hall of Fame.  He went on to enjoy a successful alternate career working for Anheuser Busch.