Verlon Biggs

Verlon Biggs
No. 84, 86
Position:Defensive end
Personal information
Born:(1943-03-16)March 16, 1943
Moss Point, Mississippi, U.S.
Died:June 7, 1994(1994-06-07) (aged 51)
Moss Point, Mississippi, U.S.
Career information
College:Jackson State
AFL draft:1965 / round: 3 / pick: 20
(by the New York Jets)[1]
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:135
Fumble recoveries:14
Touchdowns:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Verlon Marion Biggs (March 16, 1943 – June 7, 1994) was an American professional football player who was a defensive end in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He had over 90 career quarterback sacks, and made an important play for the New York Jets in their Super Bowl III victory.

Early life

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Biggs was born on March 16, 1943, in Moss Point, Mississippi.[2] He attended Magnolia High School, graduating in 1961.[3]

College football

[edit]

Biggs attended Jackson State College (now Jackson State University), playing on the varsity football team 1961-64. He was All-Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC), 1963-64; and an National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) All-American, 1963-64.[2]

Professional football

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Biggs was a 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m), 270 pound (122.5 kg), defensive end.[4][5]

New York Jets

[edit]

Biggs was selected by the New York Jets in the third round of the 1964 AFL draft (20th overall).[6] In that same draft, the Jets selected future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Namath with their first pick (second overall), and 1964 Heisman Trophy winner John Huarte in the second round.[6][7][8]

As a rookie in 1965, Biggs started 12 of 14 games for the Jets, with eight quarterback sacks, and one interception that he returned 44 yards.[5] Biggs led the AFL in sacks in 1966, with 12.5, and also had a safety.[9][5] United Press International (UPI) and the Newspaper Enterprise Association (NEA) named him first team All-AFL, and the AFL and the Associated Press (AP) named him second team All-AFL.[10] He was also selected to play in the 1966 AFL All-Star game, where he was named the game's most valuable player.[11][4] The Jets had a 6–6–2 record.[12]

In 1967, Biggs started all 14 games for the first time. He had 15 sacks and two fumble recoveries.[5] Biggs was selected to the AFL All Star game in 1967, and was named second team All AFL by the NEA and The Sporting News.[13] The Jets finished the season with an 8–5–1 record.[14]

The 1968 Jets went 11–3 in the regular season, then defeated the Oakland Raiders for the AFL championship (27–23), and would win Super Bowl III over the Baltimore Colts (16–7).[15] Biggs played an important role in both of those games. Late in the AFL championship game, he sacked Oakland quarterback Daryle Lamonica on a fourth down and 10-yards to go play, to help seal a victory. In the Super Bowl, on the first play from scrimmage in the second half, Biggs forced a fumble that set up a field goal.[4] Biggs had 10.5 sacks that year, and was again selected to play in the AFL All Star game.[5][16] He defensive line coach that year was Buddy Ryan.[17]

He had 10 sacks for the Jets in 1969, but only two in 1970.[5] Still, he was described as a "bulwark" of the Jets 1970 defensive line that allowed the fewest rushing yards in the American Football Conference.[18][19] Biggs had played the 1968 season through the Super Bowl without a signed contract, and went into the 1970 season in a contract dispute with the Jets (as did a few other Jets players).[20] Biggs played out his option with the Jets in 1970.[4] Hall of fame Jets coach Weeb Ewbank said of Biggs, "'He was a great team player who was always where he was supposed to be....'"[4][21] But in May 1971, Ewbank, the Jets and Biggs could not reach a new contract, and Biggs left the team as a free agent.[18]

Washington Redskins

[edit]

After playing out his option with the Jets, at 28 years old Biggs signed on with the Redskins as a free agent in June 1971. As compensation, the Jets received Washington's top draft pick in the 1972 draft and another high pick from the following draft, but had to give Washington two medium round draft picks for 1972-73.[18] Biggs played for Washington from 1971-74, but sat out 1975 with an injury; retiring after that.[4]

His joining Washington coincided with future hall of fame coach George Allen coming to the team in 1971.[22][23] Washington had improved under coaching legend Vince Lombardi in 1969, to have their first winning year since 1955, but Lombardi died before the start of the 1970 season.[24][25][26] Under coach Bill Austin in 1970, Washington had a 6–8 record, with a defense ranked 24th out of 26 teams in total yards allowed (4,333), 21st in point allowed, and 25th in rushing yards allowed (2,068).[27][28]

When Allen came to Washington, the defense already included All Pro Pat Fischer,[29] future hall of famer Chris Hanburger,[30] Brig Owens and Mike Bass.[31] In addition to bringing Biggs to Washington in 1971, Allen traded for veteran defensive players Jack Pardee, Maxie Baughan, Myron Pottios, Diron Talbert, and offensive lineman John Wilbur.[32][33] After just one year, in 1971, Allen led the team to a 9–4–1 record. The 1971 team defense ranked fourth best in fewest points allowed (190), total yards allowed (3,523), and rushing yards allowed (1,396).[34][35] Biggs started 13 games at right defensive end, with 5 sacks.[5]

In 1972, Washington went 11–3, and defeated the Dallas Cowboys for the 1972 National Conference championship, on their way to Super Bowl VII (a 14–7 loss to the undefeated Miami Dolphins).[36][37] The team gave up the third fewest points in the league and fourth fewest total yards allowed.[38] Biggs had eights sacks that year, as well as two fumble recoveries, one of which he returned for a touchdown.[5]

In 1973 and 1974, Washington would go to the playoffs again, but lose in the divisional round.[39][40] In 1973, Biggs tied his career high in sacks (15) to go along with three fumble recoveries, again returning one for a touchdown. In his final season, 1974, he had 4 sacks and three more fumble recoveries.[5]

Over his career, Biggs had 90.5 sacks, 14 fumble recoveries, an interception, a safety and two touchdowns.[5]

Honors

[edit]

Biggs was inducted in the Jackson State Athletic Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2002, Biggs was inducted into the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame.[2] In 2023, he was inducted into the Moss Point Sports Hall of Fame.[3]

Personal life

[edit]

He also spent time as a professional wrestler.[41] After his wrestling career ended, he operated a small farm in Moss Point.[4]

Death

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Biggs died of leukemia on June 7, 1994.[4]

See also

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See also

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References

[edit]
  1. ^ "1965 AFL Draft". Archived from the original on February 25, 2017. Retrieved March 23, 2017.
  2. ^ a b c "Verlon Biggs". Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  3. ^ a b "Verlon Biggs -". mosspointsportshalloffame.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h Thomas Jr, Robert Mcg. (June 8, 1994). "Verlon Biggs Dies; Ex-Jet Player, 51, Was on Title Team". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Verlon Biggs Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  6. ^ a b "1965 AFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  7. ^ "Joe Namath | Pro Football Hall of Fame | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  8. ^ "John Huarte College Stats, School, Draft, Gamelog, Splits". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  9. ^ Brannon, Blake (July 11, 2023). "Moss Point Sports Hall of Fame announces inaugural class". www.wlox.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  10. ^ "1966 AFL All-Pros". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  11. ^ "1966 AFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  12. ^ "1966 New York Jets Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  13. ^ "1967 AFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  14. ^ "1967 New York Jets Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  15. ^ "1968 New York Jets Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  16. ^ "1968 AFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  17. ^ Sullivan, Mark A. (July 1, 2022). "Eagles All-Time "Best Buddy"". The Coffin Corner. 44 (2): 15.
  18. ^ a b c "REDSKINS PICK UP BIGGS, JETS' END". The New York Times. June 11, 1971. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  19. ^ "1970 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  20. ^ Anderson, Dave (September 17, 1970). "PLAYERS ANNOYED AT LACK OF TALKS". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  21. ^ "Weeb Ewbank | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  22. ^ "George Allen Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  23. ^ "George Allen | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  24. ^ "Washington Commanders Team Records, Leaders, and League Ranks". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  25. ^ "Vince Lombardi Record, Statistics, and Category Ranks". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  26. ^ "Vince Lombardi's personal fight against cancer was futile". www.packers.com. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  27. ^ "1970 Washington Redskins Roster & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  28. ^ "1970 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  29. ^ "Pat Fischer Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  30. ^ "Chris Hanburger | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  31. ^ "1970 Washington Redskins Roster & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  32. ^ Wallace, William N. (January 29, 1971). "Patriots Choose Plunkett as No. 1 in College Draft, Spurning Trade Offers". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  33. ^ "1971 NFL Draft Pick Transactions". www.prosportstransactions.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  34. ^ "1971 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  35. ^ "1971 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  36. ^ "NFC Championship - Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins - December 31st, 1972". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  37. ^ "Super Bowl VII - Miami Dolphins vs. Washington Redskins - January 14th, 1973". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
  38. ^ "1972 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  39. ^ "1973 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  40. ^ "1974 Washington Redskins Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved February 17, 2025.
  41. ^ "Verlon Biggs". wrestlingdata.com. Retrieved September 23, 2024.
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