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Dicky Maegle, an All-Professional defensive again who’s finest remembered for scoring one of the crucial controversial touchdowns in faculty soccer historical past, has died on the age of 86.
Maegle grew up in Taylor, Texas, and bought a soccer scholarship to Rice, the place he grew to become the most effective gamers in faculty soccer as a junior in 1953. He led the nation that 12 months with a median of seven.3 yards per carry, and within the 1954 Cotton Bowl, he turned in one of many best efforts in faculty soccer historical past, dashing for 265 yards on simply 11 carries in a 28-6 win over Alabama. With a median of 24.1 yards per carry, Maegle’s efficiency in that recreation stays one of many all-time nice bowl recreation performances.
But it surely was one specific play in that recreation that will observe Maegle round for the remainder of his life. With Rice backed up by itself 5-yard line, Maegle bought the ball and weaved his manner towards Alabama’s sideline, the place he turned upfield. As he crossed the 50-yard line, Alabama fullback Tommy Lewis bought up off the bench, ran onto the sphere and dove into Maegle’s knees, knocking him down. Lewis then ran again to the bench and tried to cover behind a coach.
After a prolonged dialogue, the officers awarded Maegle a 95-yard landing run, despite the fact that he had fallen 40 yards in need of the tip zone. With tv quickly gaining reputation in America, the extremely uncommon play grew to become one of many first extensively replayed sports activities highlights. Maegle and Lewis had been invited on The Ed Sullivan Present to debate the play, and though Maegle was a very good sport about it, he would later complain that Sullivan made Lewis out to be a Cotton Bowl hero when Lewis had truly taken an inexpensive shot that would have injured Maegle.
In 1955 Maegle went to the 49ers because the tenth total choose within the NFL draft. Regardless of being finest generally known as a operating again in faculty, Maegle distinguished himself within the NFL on protection, the place he totaled 20 interceptions in his first three NFL seasons. Accidents would restrict Maegle for a lot of his profession, and he was traded to the Steelers in 1960, then traded once more to the Cowboys in 1961, earlier than retiring.
In retirement Maegle grew to become a commentator on Houston Oilers broadcasts and in addition modified the spelling of his title, which had been “Moegle” throughout his enjoying days.
Regardless of enjoying very nicely at occasions within the NFL, Maegle will all the time be remembered primarily for his Faculty Soccer Corridor of Fame profession, and for that one legendary day within the Cotton Bowl.
Dicky Maegle, NFL nice remembered for a legendary Cotton Bowl, dies at 86 initially appeared on Professional Soccer Speak
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