Don Davis (defensive tackle)

American football player (1943–2018)

Not to be confused with Don Davis (linebacker).

American football player

Don DavisNo. 76

Position:| Defensive tackle
Personal information
Born:|  (1943-12-16) December 16, 1943 (age 81)
Santa Ana, California, U.S.
Height:| 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)
Weight:| 285 lb (129 kg)
Career information
High school:| Santa Ana (California)
College:| Santa Ana (1962–1963)
Cal State Los Angeles (1964–1965)
NFL draft:| 1966: 2nd round, 25th pick
AFL draft:| 1966: 1st round, 7th pick
Career history

* New York Giants (1966–1967)

Career highlights and awards

* Junior college national champion (1962)

Stats at Pro Football Reference

Donald Earl Davis (born December 16, 1943) is an American former professional football defensive tackle who played one season with the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Giants in the second round of the 1966 NFL draft after playing college football at California State College at Los Angeles.

## Early life

[edit]

Donald Earl Davis was born on December 16, 1943, in Santa Ana, California.[1] He attended Santa Ana High School in Santa Ana.[1]

## College career

[edit]

Davis first played college football for the Santa Ana Dons of Santa Ana College from 1962 to 1963.[1] The 1962 Dons went 10–0 and were named national junior college champions.[2] He transferred to play for the Cal State Los Angeles Diablos of California State College at Los Angeles from 1964 to 1965.[1] He played in the Chicago Charities College All-Star Game after his senior season.[3]

## Professional career

[edit]

Davis was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the first round, with the 7th overall pick, of the 1966 AFL draft and by the New York Giants in the second round, with the 25th overall pick, of the 1966 NFL draft.[4] He chose to sign with the Giants.[5] He was given the nickname "Buddha" while at Giants training camp in 1966 because he reportedly looked like a "glob" when he sat with his legs folded underneath him.[3] Davis played in all 14 games, starting 11, for the team during the 1966 season, recording 3.5 sacks.[4] He had a fight with Bookie Bolin at Giants training camp in 1967.[6] Davis was placed on injured reserve later in 1967 and spent the entire season there.[5] He was released in 1968.[5]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c d "Don Davis". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
2. ^ "Dons Sitting On Top Of World: Santa Ana Claims National JC Football Championship". The Register. December 17, 1962. p. A8 - via Newspapers.com.
3. ^ a b Young, Dick (July 31, 1966). "Young Ideas". Daily News. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
4. ^ a b "Don Davis". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
5. ^ a b c "Don Davis NFL Transactions". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
6. ^ Klein, Dave (July 27, 1967). "Sherman calls it "spirit" as Davis, Bolin fight". The Star-Ledger. pp. 29, 30. Retrieved January 12, 2025.

* v
* t
* e

New York Giants 1966 NFL draft selections

* Francis Peay
* Don Davis
* Tom Fisher
* Bill Briggs
* Phil Harris
* Charlie Harper
* Bill Matan
* Freeman White
* Jeff Smith
* Cliff Wilder
* Ken Avery
* Jim Fulgham
* Howard McCard
* Steve Bowman
* Sammy Price
* Gary Eickman
* Kai Anderson
* Bobby Crockett
* Randy Minniear

* v
* t
* e

San Diego Chargers 1966 AFL draft selections

* Don Davis
* Nick Rassas
* Milt Morin
* Charlie Brown
* Russ Smith
* Gary Pettigrew
* Jim Tolbert
* Doug Buffone
* Taft Reed
* Dan Pride
* Terry Owens
* Ray Jones
* Houston Ridge
* Mike London
* Shelly Novack
* Bill Scott
* Ron Ogle
* John Travis
* Jerome Bell
* Bill McDowell
* Bob Windsor
* Diron Talbert
* Jeff Staggs
* LaVerle Pratt
* Rhome Nixon
* Joe Beauchamp
* S. T. Saffold
* Brad Hubbert
* Wayne Page
* Wayne Becker
* Hugh Wright

* v
* t
* e

Los Angeles Chargers first-round draft picks

Formerly the San Diego Chargers (1961–2016)

* Stickles
* Faison
* Ferguson
* Sweeney
* T. Davis
* DeLong
* D. Davis
* Billingsley
* R. Washington
* Hill
* Domres
* Babich
* Gillette
* Burns
* Rodgers
* Matthews
* Goode
* G. Johnson
* M. H. Williams
* J. Washington
* Rush
* Jefferson
* Winslow
* Brooks
* Smith
* Anderson
* Byrd
* L. Williams
* Cade
* Lachey
* O'Neal
* FitzPatrick
* Bernstine
* Miller
* Grossman
* Seau
* Richard
* Mims
* D. Gordon
* Leaf
* Tomlinson
* Jammer
* S. Davis
* Manning
* Merriman
* Castillo
* Cromartie
* C. Davis
* Cason
* English
* Mathews
* Liuget
* Ingram
* Fluker
* Verrett
* M. Gordon
* Bosa
* M. K. Williams
* James
* Tillery
* Herbert
* Murray
* Slater
* Z. Johnson
* Johnston
* Alt
* Hampton

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