Fred Dryer

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Not to be confused with Fred Dyer.

Fred Dryer
1969
 / Round: 1 / Pick: 13
Career history
Career highlights and awards
NFL records
  • Most safeties in a game: 2
  • Most safeties in a season: 2 (tied)
Career NFL statistics
Fumble recoveries:20
Safeties:2
Interceptions:1
Touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

John Frederick Dryer (born July 6, 1946) is an American actor, radio host, and former professional football player.

He was a defensive end in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 years, participating in 176 games starting in 1969 until his retirement in 1981. He recorded 103 career sacks with the New York Giants and Los Angeles Rams. He is the only NFL player to score two safeties in one game.

Following his retirement from football, Dryer had a successful career as a film and television actor, notably starring in the series

Hunter
, with his height of 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and physique proving useful for action roles.

Early years

Fred Dryer was born and raised in Southern California. His parents were Charles F. Dryer and Genevieve Nell (née Clark) Dryer. He played football at Lawndale High School in Lawndale, California.

College

Dryer attended

El Camino Junior College before transferring to San Diego State University (SDSU)
.

Dryer was inducted to the El Camino Community College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988 as a charter member

Junior College All-American.[2]

During Dryer's junior and senior seasons at San Diego State, in which he lettered both seasons, the Aztecs had a combined record of 19–1–1. They were the

UPI and North Dakota State University topped the AP
poll, and thus the two schools shared the College Division title.

Dryer was voted the outstanding defensive lineman on the team and as such was the recipient of the Byron H. Chase Memorial Trophy.[3]

One of Dryer's teammates was Carl Weathers, who played Apollo Creed in the first four films of the Rocky series. In 1967, the Aztecs allowed 12.9 points a game on defense, which is still ninth in program history. In 1967 and 1968, the Aztec run defense allowed just 80.1 and 100.1 yards per game, still fourth and fifth, respectively in school history after over half a century.[4]

Dryer was named to the Little All-America team in 1968 since at the time the school was 1-AA. Dryer played in the

College All-Star Game in Chicago where the college stars played the world champion New York Jets.[5]

In 1988, Dryer was inducted into the

San Diego State University Aztec Hall of Fame.[6]

In 1997, Dryer received college football's ultimate honor in being voted to the College Football Hall of Fame and is one of only three Aztecs in the collegiate Hall of Fame. When voted into the San Diego Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, he joined athletes such as Ted Williams, Dan Fouts, Dave Winfield, and Tony Gwynn in receiving the preeminent recognition for a San Diego athlete.[7]

NFL career

Dryer was selected in the first round of the

1969 NFL Draft by the New York Giants and won a starting job as a rookie. He was the starting right defensive end from 1969 through 1971. Although the NFL did not officially recognize quarterback sacks
until 1982, teams did record their own sack data for the time. As such, he led the team in sacks each of those three seasons with 8½ in 1969, 12 in 1970 and 8½ in 1971. He was among the defensive leaders in other categories as well. In 1969, he tallied 58 tackles (39 solo), six passes deflected and forced two fumbles, recovering both.

The next season, Dryer was an alternate to the Pro Bowl but could not play due to a bruised hip. He was Second-team All-NFC after recording 59 tackles (43 solo) four pass deflections, three forced fumbles, while recovering two to go along with his 12 sacks. In 1971, he again led the team with 8½ sacks, and totaled 52 tackles (33 solo). He deflected two passes, forced two more fumbles and recovered two for the third consecutive season.[8]

After several run-ins with Giants management in 1971, Dryer was traded to the New England Patriots in February 1972 for three draft choices (a first and a sixth in 1972; a second in 1973).[9][10] The Giants used the first round pick to select defensive back Eldridge Small. Because Dryer had not signed a contract for the 1971 season, he was eligible to become a free agent in May 1972.[11] He refused to report to the Patriots unless they signed him to a long-term contract making him the highest paid defensive lineman in pro football.[12] The Patriots refused to meet his demands and instead dealt him to the Los Angeles Rams for a 1973 first round draft pick (which they ultimately used to select fullback Sam Cunningham) and backup defensive end Rick Cash four days before he could become a free agent.[12] This trade gave Dryer what he wanted all along—a move to a West Coast team—and he agreed to a multi-year contract with the Rams.[12][13] In his first year with the Rams, he backed up left defensive end Jack Youngblood making only four starts but playing in every game despite a broken hand and broken nose. His primary role in 1972 was to come in on likely passing downs and rush the passer. He had 40 tackles (17 solo) and 4½ sacks.

In 1973, Dryer started all 14 games on the right side and became the only

safeties
in the same game by tackling opposing passers in the end zone twice in the fourth quarter. He ended the season with ten sacks, three forced fumbles with three recovered fumbles (all three were second on the top-ranked Rams defense). After the season, he was a Second-team All-NFC pick by Pro Football Weekly. He finished the season with 39 tackles (21 solo), three forced fumbles and three fumbles recovered.

In 1974, he had 15 sacks, which co-led (with Youngblood) the league, and he was also voted the Rams Outstanding Defensive Lineman. He was named NEA First-team and AP Second-team All-Pro and All-NFC. Statistically, he had another solid year versus the run, totaling 49 tackles (34 solo) and two forced fumbles.[8]

Dryer scored his first NFL touchdown in 1975 on a 20-yard interception return against Philadelphia. After scoring his touchdown against the Eagles, Dryer promised that if he ever scored another, he would set his hair on fire in the end zone. Against the Eagles that day, he chose to celebrate by "rolling six", a touchdown celebration where the player scoring rolls the ball like an imaginary pair of dice with some of his teammates looking on. He ended 1975 with 12 sacks, behind only Jack Youngblood and was voted All-NFC. Additionally, Dryer played in the 1975 Pro Bowl. Statistically, Dryer was excellent against the run with 61 tackles (39 solo) and two passes deflection, two fumbles recovered to go along with the 20-yard TD interception.

Rule changes in NFL offensive line hindered Dryer, because of his small frame, after the 1975 season. He had a 55-tackle, five-sack season (33 solo) in 1976. He did deflect two passes and forced three fumbles to lead his team. In 1977, Dryer adopted a new diet and was winning praises from NFL sportswriters for the start he had. He recorded 35 tackles (28 solo) and six sacks. He also knocked down four passes, recovered three fumbles and caused one fumble. The next season, 1978 was much of the same. Dryer was the starting right defensive end on the NFL's #1 defense. Personally, he had 51 tackles (33 solo) and forced two fumbles, recovered three, blocked a kick and blocked one pass as the Rams went 12-4 and won their six straight division title.

In 1979, Dryer would be named an honorable mention All-NFC after recording 49 tackles (31 solo), ten sacks, and three forced fumbles (with one recovery). Against the New York Giants on October 28 of that year, Dryer recorded a career-high five sacks. At last, the Rams would finally break through and reach the Super Bowl. Dryer played in Super Bowl XIV when the Rams met the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 20, 1980. The Rams led 19–17 against the defending champions, but the Steelers scored fourteen unanswered points to win the game in the fourth quarter 31–19. The following season, Dryer split the time at his right defensive end position with third-year player Reggie Doss. They combined for 67 tackles (Dryer 31, 20 solo) and 12 sacks (Dryer 5½, Doss 6½).

Dryer ended his career with 104 career sacks, although as mentioned the statistic was not recognized until after he retired. Dryer played on a tough Los Angeles Ram defense that allowed fewer points, fewer total yards, fewer rushing yards, and sacked more quarterbacks than any other defense during the 1970s.[8]

In January 1981, Dryer made the cover of Interview magazine, published by Andy Warhol from the late 1960s through the early 1990s and was considered the very essence of "magazine chic". In 2003 the NFL Alumni presented Dryer with its Career Achievement Award which is presented to former NFL players "For Getting to the Top of His Field".

Record game

Dryer's record-setting game on October 21, 1973, at

safety
.

On the Packers' following possession near their own goal line, Dryer attacked again. He looped through the middle of the Packers' offensive line and dragged backup quarterback Jim Del Gaizo down for his second safety of the game, setting an NFL record.[14] For his efforts, Dryer was named the Associated Press NFL Defensive Player of the Week.[15]

Acting career

Fred Dryer
Born
John Frederick Dryer

(1946-07-06) July 6, 1946 (age 77)
Hawthorne, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Actor, producer
Years active1976–present
Political partyRepublican
Spouse
Tracy Vaccaro
​
​
(m. 1983; div. 1988)​
Children1
WebsiteOfficial website

Prior to the start of his show business career, Dryer helped cover

color analyst on CBS's NFL coverage in 1981 and 1982.[18]

In the early 1980s, when producers/creators

Red Sox teammate of Sam's) Dave Richards in the episodes "Sam at Eleven", "Old Flames", "Love Thy Neighbor", and "'I' On Sports". He appeared on CHiPs
as Lt. John LeGarre in the Season 5 episode Force Seven, about a secret LAPD unit implemented for special situations.

Dryer's best-known acting role came in the 1980s television crime drama Hunter, in which he co-starred with Stepfanie Kramer, followed by Darlanne Fluegel, then Lauren Lane. He starred in the action-thriller movie Death Before Dishonor as well as playing Mike Land in the TV series Land's End (21 episodes, 1995–1996). In 1998, he portrayed Police Chief Masters in Diagnosis: Murder. He portrayed Sgt. Rock during his appearance on Justice League.[19][20]

In January 2009, Dryer was seen in a cable TV commercial for SMS research company,[21] which obliquely makes reference to his NFL record of two safeties in a game from 1973. Dryer is also now a spokesman for the law service Injury Solutions.[22]

He starred in the drag racing film Snake & Mongoose, which depicts the rivalry between drivers Don "The Snake" Prudhomme and Tom "The Mongoose" McEwen and their groundbreaking accomplishments in the world of drag racing.[23] Dryer played "Ed Donovan", McEwen's engine builder, who coined the nickname "Mongoose".[24]

Dryer appeared in the NBC series

HYDRA leader, Octavian Bloom, in an episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.[25] On October 23, 2018, he played a Vietnam veteran on the CBS show NCIS.[citation needed][26]

Personal life

Dryer has had a long interest in nutrition. In the late 1970s Dryer was consuming 70 raw egg yolks a week.[27][28] He has since excluded red meat from his diet and eats chicken and vegetables.[29]

He married actress and

Tracy Vaccaro in May 1983; the couple divorced in 1988.[30] Together, they have at least one daughter. Dryer still resides in Los Angeles and has his own production company (Fred Dryer Productions).[30]

References

  1. ^ "El Camino Community College Hall of Fame Program" (PDF). elcamino.edu. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  2. Long Beach Press-Telegram
    . December 8, 1966.
  3. ^ San Diego State University Football Media Guide. 2008.
  4. ^ San Diego State University Media Guide (PDF). 2008. p. 143. Retrieved June 2, 2018 – via grfx.cstv.com.
  5. ^ San Diego State Media Guide. 2006.
  6. ^ "HelmetHut.com". Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  7. ^ "Breitbard Hall of Fame By Last Name" (PDF). sdhoc.com. San Diego Hall of Champions. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  8. ^ a b c Turney, John (January 22, 2001). "So close but...Will Hall of Fame vote be another narrow miss for Youngblood?". Pro Football Weekly website. Archived from the original on October 4, 2008. Retrieved November 29, 2008.
  9. ^ Montville, Leigh (February 2, 1972). "Dryer, a free spirit, wants to win--badly". Boston Globe. p. 29. Retrieved December 22, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
  10. ^ "Patriots get Giants Dryer; give up three draft choices". Lowell Sun. February 1, 1972. p. 36. Retrieved December 22, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
  11. ^ Montville, Leigh (February 1, 1972). "Patriots obtain Giants' Dryer". Boston Globe. p. 25. Retrieved December 22, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b c Montville, Leigh (April 27, 1972). "Pats unload balky Dryer on Rams". Boston Globe. p. 53. Retrieved December 22, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Patriots trade Dryer to Rams for Rick Cash". Los Angeles Times. April 27, 1972. p. 50. Retrieved December 22, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "October 21, 1977 – LA Rams Fred Dryer Scores Two Safeties in One Game – FirstAndMonday". www.firstandmonday.com. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  15. ^ "Somerset Daily American from Somerset, Pennsylvania on October 24, 1973 · Page 17". Newspapers.com. Retrieved September 4, 2017.
  16. ^ "Penner, Mike. "Dick Schaap, 67; Sports Journalist" (obituary)". Articles.latimes.com. Retrieved January 30, 2017.
  17. ^ "Rentzel, Dryer Find A Way To Super Bowl". Associated Press. January 10, 1975. Retrieved December 26, 2015.
  18. ^ Richard Waldrup (2017-10-23), New Orleans Saints vs Houston Oilers 1981 1st Half WK 12, archived from the original on 2021-12-22, retrieved 2020-11-24
  19. ^ "Fred Dryer List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. CBS Interactive. Retrieved August 29, 2018.
  20. ISBN 9781538103746
    .
  21. ^ "KGB.com". Kgbkgb.com. Retrieved January 1, 2012.
  22. ^ Injury Solutions.com
  23. ^ "Tim Blake Nelson Joins Noah Wyle in Drag-Race Drama 'Snake and Mongoose'". May 11, 2012.
  24. ^ Ahrens, Ronald (August 27, 2013). "A Tale of Two Drag Racing Legends: 'Snake & Mongoose'". The New York Times.
  25. IMDb
  26. ^ "NCIS | TV Guide". TVGuide.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  27. ISBN 9780698108905
  28. ^ Reed, J. D. "They Hunger for Success". Vault.si.com. Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  29. ^ "Fred Dryer Biography". Retrieved 16 May 2021.
  30. ^ a b "Playmate News". Playboy. 55: 143–44. November 2008.

External links

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