Merrill Douglas Explained

Merrill Douglas
Position:Running back
Number:36, 34, 33
Birth Date:March 15, 1936
Birth Place:Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
Height Ft:6
Height In:0
Weight Lbs:204
High School:Olympus (UT)
College:Utah
Draftyear:1958
Draftround:6
Draftpick:65
Pastteams:
Highlights:
Statlabel1:Games played
Statvalue1:55
Pfr:DougMe00

Merrill George Douglas (born March 15, 1936) is a former American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Chicago Bears, Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at the University of Utah.

Early years

Douglas attended Granite High School, before transferring to Olympus High School. He received All-state honors at fullback twice. He accepted a football scholarship from the University of Utah.

As a junior, he became a starter and had 83 carries for 504 yards (second on the team), with a 6.1-yard average and 7 touchdowns. As a senior, he posted 97 carries for 646 yards (second in the league), with a 6.7-yard average and 10 touchdowns, while also leading the conference in scoring.[1] He also lettered in baseball.

In 1988, he was inducted into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame.[2]

Professional career

Chicago Bears

Douglas was selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round (65th overall) of the 1958 NFL draft. He was a backup fullback behind Rick Casares. He was released in 1961.

Dallas Cowboys

On September 7, 1961, he was claimed off waivers by the Dallas Cowboys and played in six games.[3] On April 22, 1962, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for offensive tackle Ed Nutting.[4]

Cleveland Browns

On September 10, 1962, he was waived by the Cleveland Browns.[5] He was one of the team's final two cuts as it trimmed its roster to 36, the regular season limit at the time.[6]

Philadelphia Eagles

On September 18, 1962, he was signed as a free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles.[7] He was the third-string fullback.[8]

New York Jets

On September 3, 1963, he was released by the New York Jets.[9]

Personal life

Douglas was a side judge in the NFL for eleven seasons from 1981 through 1991, wearing uniform number 102.[10] He worked for the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Department for 25 years.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Publicists Pick Five Utes On Skyline Team . February 3, 2018 . Deseret News.
  2. Web site: November 13, 1988 . Utah Sports Hall Of Fame To Add Five Members . February 3, 2018 . Deseret News.
  3. Web site: Merrill Douglas Goes To Dallas . February 3, 2018 . Deseret News.
  4. Web site: Browns Swap Nutting to Dallas for Douglas . February 3, 2018 . Park City Daily News.
  5. Web site: September 11, 1962 . Browns Ask Waivers On Back Field Men . February 3, 2018 . The Gazette . Google News . Associated Press.
  6. Web site: Esxtra Point . February 16, 2020 . The Plain Dealer.
  7. Web site: Eagles Drop Two But Sign Pair . February 3, 2018 . Star-News.
  8. Web site: Hornung Faces Desperate Bears . February 3, 2018 . Sarasota Journal.
  9. Web site: Those Let Loose . February 3, 2018 . Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
  10. Web site: November 13, 1988 . Douglas Went To Pros As A Player, Then Official . February 3, 2018 . Deseret News.