Lance Alworth

Bio

Lance Alworth was an all-around athlete in high school in Brookhaven, Mississippi. He became the first University of Arkansas athlete to win letters in three sports in the same school year. He was a star in track, running the 100-yard dash in 9.6 seconds; in baseball, as a leader in stolen bases; and in football, as All-America halfback in 1961. He played offense and defense, returned kicks, and did the team's punting. He led the nation in punt returns in 1960 and 1961; his career average on punt returns was 13.5 yards. His longest returns were 67 and 49 yards. In his three years, Arkansas was Southwest Conference undisputed champion once, co-champion twice, and played in the Cotton, Sugar, and Gator Bowls. He was named the outstanding back in the Cotton Bowl after the 1960 season and the outstanding player in the Hula Bowl, an all-star game, after the 1961 season. In 1961-62, he was voted the outstanding amateur athlete in the state of Arkansas. He was president of his senior class, Academic All-America in 1961, and winner of the Southwest Conference Sportsmanship Award. After graduation, he was offered baseball contracts by the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Yankees but opted for pro football. He played for the San Diego Chargers, and Dallas Cowboys, 1962-72, as a wide receiver. He scored 87 touchdowns and ranked fourth in all-time yardage as a pass receiver when he retired. Alworth was from an athletic family; his sister Anne was a high school sprinter on the track team. Lance stood 6 feet tall, weighed 178. As a rookie in pro football in 1962, he picked up a nickname, Bambi. Teammates said he had big brown eyes, and could run like Bambi, a leaping deer in fiction. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 1984.

Career Highlights

• 1961 Academic All-America
• 1961 All-Conference
• 1961 First Team All-America
• 1961 Led Nation in punt returns
• 1960 All-Conference
• 1960 Led Nation in punt returns
• 1960 Third Team All-America