John Garlington

John Garlington

No. 50
Date of birth	June 5, 1946
Place of birth	Jonesboro, Jackson Parish Louisiana, USA
Date of death	February 10, 2000(2000-02-10) (aged 53) Ebenezer Cemetery in Bienville Parish
Career information
Position(s)	Linebacker
US college	Louisiana State
NFL draft	1968 / round: 2 / pick: 47
Career history
As player
1968–1977	Cleveland Browns
Career stats
Playing stats at DatabaseFootball.com

John Garlington
File:LDWF-patch.JPG
Born	June 5, 1946 Jonesboro, LA, United States
Other names	Big John
Police career
Department	Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries - Enforcement Division
Service years	1986 - February 10, 2000
Rank	1986 - commissioned as Wildlife Agent 1998 - promoted to Captain

John M. Garlington (June 5, 1946 – February 10, 2000) was an American football linebacker who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played professionally for the Cleveland Browns.

Early life

Garlington was born in Jonesboro, Louisiana and graduated from Jonesboro-Hodge High School in Jonesboro. in 1964. He was a star college athlete at Louisiana State University. At LSU, he was a 1967 Kodak/American Football Coaches Association pick. He was also a First-Team All-SEC pick in 1966 by the Associated Press and in 1967 by both the AP and United Press International. He was described as an "Incredible athlete whose talents typified his play and teamwork. Had excellent speed and lateral pursuit. Opponents were timid when it came to attacking his side of the defensive line. Even with his size, he was a speed merchant. In the 1966 Rice encounter, John picked off an errant pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown."

Professional career

Garlington was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the 2nd round (47th overall) of the 1968 NFL Draft. He played ten seasons with the Cleveland Browns, from 1968 until 1977.

Law enforcement career

After leaving professional football, Garlington worked, from 1986, as a Wildlife Enforcement Agent (game warden) with the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries - Enforcement Division. He was promoted to the rank of Captain, in 1998, and was the commander of the department's Region 1 office near Shreveport, Louisiana. Prior to assuming command of Region 1, Garlington held the rank of Sergeant, and was assigned to the department's Statewide Strike Force. Garlington died in the line of duty, from drowning, while investigating a poaching complaint near his home on the Mill Creek Reservoir near Saline, LA in Bienville Parish. He had been on the force for 14 years. Garlington was survived by his wife Karon Garlington.

He is buried at the Ebenezer Cemetery off Louisiana Highway 508 in Bienville Parish. His son, Jonesboro police officer John Moses Garlington, was interred at this same cemetery in the spring of 1994.

External links

• Cleveland Browns Jersey Numbers
• Officer Down Memorial Page
• Pro-Football-Reference.Com
• databaseFootball.com