Gene Lipscomb biography
Gene Lipscomb, byname of Eugene Allen Lipscomb, (born August 9, 1931, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.—died May 10, 1963, Baltimore, Maryland), American gridiron soccer participant and larger-than-life “character” whose exploits helped make skilled soccer the preferred sport within the United States through the late Nineteen Fifties. A 6-foot 6-inch (2-metre), 284-pound (129-kg) defensive sort out, Lipscomb joked that he gathered up all of the opponent’s gamers and “peeled them off” till he discovered the ball service. His quickness in pursuing ball carriers throughout the sphere and speeding quarterbacks proved {that a} large defensive lineman might do greater than defend a small space. His behavior of calling teammates “little daddy” when he couldn't bear in mind their names earned him the nickname “Big Daddy.”
Unlike most National Football League (NFL) gamers, Lipscomb didn't attend school. He by no means knew his father, and, when he was 11, his mom was stabbed to loss of life whereas on her method to work. After a troubled youth, he entered the U.S. Marine Corps and performed soccer at Camp Pendleton, California. Upon his discharge in 1953, he signed with the Los Angeles Rams for $4,800 and a beefsteak breakfast. His lack of approach restricted his taking part in time. He was often known as an amiable light big off the sphere however one stuffed with insecurities over his lack of training, his uncommon dimension for his day, and his position as a extremely seen African American.
In 1956 he was let go by the Rams and was picked up by the Baltimore Colts. As he turned a extra polished participant, his dimension, agility, and quickness gained him an everyday sort out place alongside future Pro Football Hall of Fame gamers Gino Marchetti and Art Donovan. The protection was a significant factor as Baltimore gained NFL championships in 1958–59. Honoured as one of many premier gamers of his day, Lipscomb was named all-NFL in each title years however generally was criticized for not all the time taking part in at full velocity.
Lipscomb was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1961, the place he helped make that staff a title contender and was named all-NFL for the fourth yr in a row. In the spring of 1963, he was discovered lifeless in his condo from an overdose of heroin.