Harold Hays
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| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||
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| Born: | September 24, 1939 Gulfport, Mississippi | ||||||||
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| College: | Southern Mississippi | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1962 / round: 14 / pick: 186 (By the Dallas Cowboys) | ||||||||
| AFL draft: | 1962 / round: 26 / pick: 207 (By the Houston Oilers) | ||||||||
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Leo Harold Hays (born September 24, 1939) is a former American football linebacker who played seven seasons in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers. He played college football at Southern Mississippi University.
Early years
After graduating from Hattiesburg High School, he went into military service for one year. He returned to play college football for Southern Mississippi University in 1960. He played center and linebacker and became a two-year starter.
In 1977, he was inducted into the Southern Mississippi Hall of Fame.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Hays was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 14th round (186th overall) of the 1962 NFL Draft and by the Houston Oilers in the 26th round (207th overall) of the 1962 AFL Draft. He signed with the Cowboys and spent 5 seasons as a reserve linebacker, behind one of the greatest linebacking corps (Chuck Howley, Lee Roy Jordan and Dave Edwards) in NFL history.
He was traded to the San Francisco 49ers for a third round draft choice (used to draft Tom Stincic) on June 24, 1968.[1]
San Francisco 49ers
Hays played two seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. He was released on September 15, 1970.
Personal life
He won the Texas National Bass Tournament in 1969.[2]