Claude Humphrey

Claude Humphrey

Position(s) Defensive end Jersey #(s) 87
Born	June 29, 1944 (1944-06-29) Memphis, Tennessee
Career information
Year(s)	1968–1981
NFL Draft	1968 / Round: 1 / Pick: 3
College	Tennessee State
Professional teams
Atlanta Falcons (1968-1978) Philadelphia Eagles (1979-1981)
Career stats
Sacks	126½
Games	171
Safeties	2
Stats at NFL.com
Career highlights and awards
6× Pro Bowl selection (1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977) 5× First-team All-Pro selection (1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1977) 3× Second-team All-Pro selection (1969, 1970, 1976) 1968 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year All-America selection (1967)

Claude B. Humphrey (born June 29, 1944 in Memphis, Tennessee) is a former American football defensive lineman in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons and Philadelphia Eagles.

Professional career

Humphrey was drafted out of Tennessee State University in the first round of the 1968 NFL Draft with the third overall choice by the Falcons. Humphrey was an All-American in 1967.

Humphrey's stellar career included being named First-team All-Pro five times (1971-'74, and 1977), Second- Team All-Pro three times (1969, 1970, 1976), and All-NFC six times (1970-'74, 1977). He was Second-Team All-NFC in 1976 when Humphrey unofficially recorded a career high 15 quarterback sacks. In addition Humphrey was named to the Pro Bowl six times over the span of his career (1970-'74 & 1977).

Humphrey finished out his career with the Philadelphia Eagles from 1979-'81. In 1980 Humphrey enjoyed a stellar season as a designated pass rusher, recording a team high 14½ sacks helping the Eagles become NFC Champions and earn a ticket to Super Bowl XV. He finished his career with 126½ career sacks with the Falcons and Eagles.

Humphrey is a member of the Georgia Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Hall of Fame. His college (Tennessee State University) retired his number and inducted him into their Hall of Fame. His high school has also retired his jersey and he is a member of his high school Hall of Fame.

Humphrey is a member of Phi Beta Sigma.

Outside Football

Claude Humphrey also had a guest appearance on The Dukes of Hazzard episode "Repo Men" in which he portrayed Big John, a counterfeiter.

Hall of fame candidacy

Humphrey was a final 15 candidate in 2003, 2005 and 2006. On August 27, 2008 he was named as one of two senior candidates for the 2009 Hall of Fame election.

External links

• Georgia Sports Hall of Fame
• Biography as a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
• Where Are They Now Story from 2006.

Preceded by Lem Barney

Defensive Rookie of the Year 1968

Succeeded by Joe Greene