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Happy Birthday, Don "Corky" Calhoun, 65 (4/29/1952)
Patriots FB, 1975-1981
Uniform #44
Yet another K-State alum who made a big contribution here, 'Houn was a role player who made it a starring role when he got the chance.
Don's versatility as a blocker and receiver as well as rushing made him a big value player in his era; and his ability was appreciated by players and coaches alike.
As noted above, Don Calhoun highlights the April 29 birthdays.
Don Calhoun, 65 (4/29/1952)
Patriot RB, 1975-1981
Uniform #44
Calhoun was a teammate of Steve Grogan's at Kansas State and drafted by the Bills in the tenth round (249th) in the 1974 draft. He may be the first in a long tradition of Buffalo castoffs to find success in Foxboro. Calhoun was a vital part of the Chuck Fairbanks era Patriots that were robbed of a Lombardi Trophy and set an NFL record for rushing yardage in a single season. When called upon to fill in for Sam Cunningham or Andy Johnson, Calhoun delivered so well that fans lobbied for him to be given more snaps. At the time he ranked third in franchise history in rushing yardage (6th now) and rushing touchdown (9th now), and his 4.1 yards per carry is second most in team history for a player with as many rushes (820) as he had.
Sid Blanks, 77 (4/29/1940)
Patriot HB, 1969-1970
Uniform #22
As a Houston Oiler rookie, Blanks led the AFL in rushing touchdowns in 1964. He caught on with the Pats as a backup at the end of his career, appearing in all 28 games with 20 carries for 74 yard, and seven receptions for 65 yards.
From the New England area:
Justin Cross, 58 (4/29/1959)
Cross grew up in Portsmouth NH, was an OT for the Bills from 1982-86, and then became a commercial airline pilot.
Other notable NFL players born 4/29:
- Bernie Parrish, 81; Browns CB from early 60s had 31 career interceptions.
- **** Lynch (4/29/36-9/24/08); twice led NFL in interceptions in early 60s.
- Josh Brown, 38; scumbag K enabled by Mara and Giants.
- Tommie Harris, 34; 3x Pro Bowl DT for the Bears.
- Jim Hart, 73; 4x Pro Bowl QB with St Louis Cardinals.
- Jay Cutler, 34, free agent QB formerly with Denver and Chicago.
- Browning Nagle, 49. In Largo FL the unofficial city motto is 'at least we are not Pinellas Park', so it is fitting that the pride of Pinellas Park would eventually be a bust with the Jets. Nagle transferred from West Virginia (where he was stuck behind Major Harris) to Louisville. The Cardinals culminated their 1990 season by crushing Alabama 34-7 in the Fiesta Bowl, handing the Tide one of their worst bowl losses in school history. Nagle went 20/33 for 451 yards and three touchdowns, and his draft stock skyrocketed.
The Jets selected Nagle early in the second round (34th overall) in the 1991 draft, one pick after Brett Favre. He became the starter in his second season, throwing 17 picks with only 7 touchdowns, completing fewer than 50% of his passes with a 3-10 record as their starting QB. Nagle then bounced around the NFL as a backup for a couple of years before finishing his pro football career in the Arena League.