Fletcher Louallen Explained

Fletcher Louallen
Number:43, 38
Position:Safety
Birth Date:12 September 1962
Birth Place:Jefferson, South Carolina, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lbs:195
High School:Central (SC)
College:West Alabama
Pastteams:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:3
Statlabel2:Games started
Statvalue2:3
Pfr:LouaFl20

Fletcher Allison Louallen (born September 12, 1962) is a former American football safety who played one season in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings and one season in the United States Football League (USFL) for the Birmingham Stallions. He played college football at West Alabama.

Early life and education

Louallen was born on September 12, 1962, in Jefferson, South Carolina. He attended Central High School in Pageland, South Carolina, graduating in c. 1980. He committed to the University of West Alabama, where he spent all four seasons on their football roster.[1] When he was a senior in 1983, the West Alabama defense was nicknamed the "Legion of Doom" and Louallen was called the "head Legionnaire."[2] That year he made 43 tackles, three-for-loss, two interceptions and recovered a fumble.[2]

Professional career

Louallen was selected in the 14th round (282nd overall) of the 1984 USFL Draft by the Birmingham Stallions, but instead chose to sign with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League (CFL), saying, "Winnipeg's offer was a lot better than Birmingham's."[3] He was released before the season started.[4] In 1985, Louallen signed with the Birmingham Stallions. He appeared in eight total games with the team.[1]

After sitting out the 1986 season, Louallen was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He was released in August.[5] When the Players Association went on strike early in the season, he was signed by the Minnesota Vikings as a replacement player. Louallen started three games, making one interception return of 16 yards before being released when the strike ended.[6] Louallen was re-signed by Minnesota for the season, but was placed on injured reserve in August and released on September 1.[7] [8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Fletcher Louallen Stats. Pro Football Archives.
  2. Web site: The Greatest University of West Alabama Football Players of All Time. Bleacher Report. January 21, 2012.
  3. News: Football briefs. Hattiesburg American. Newspapers.com. February 18, 1984.
  4. News: Bombers get break on rent. The Winnipeg Sun. Newspapers.com. June 6, 1984. Bender, Jim.
  5. News: St. Louis Cardinals. The Marshall News Messenger. Newspapers.com. August 18, 1987.
  6. Web site: Fletcher Louallen Stats. Pro-Football-Reference.com.
  7. News: Minnesota. Petoskey News-Review. Newspapers.com. August 24, 1988.
  8. News: NFL Notebook. The Charlotte Observer. Newspapers.com. September 1, 1988.