John Dutton (defensive lineman)

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John Dutton
No. 78
Position:
Central (Rapid City)
College:Nebraska
NFL draft:1974 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Games played:185
Sacks:18
Interceptions:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

John Owen Dutton (born February 6, 1951) is an American former professional

defensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers
.

Early years

Born and raised in

Central High School and led the Cobblers to the state Class A basketball
title in his senior year (1969).

Dutton was a two-time All-state selection in basketball and football. He received high school All-American recognition in both sports as a senior and was also an accomplished Discus thrower.

In 1993, he was inducted into the South Dakota Sports Hall of Fame.

College career

Although he received more scholarship offers for basketball, he opted to accept a football scholarship from the University of Nebraska to play under head coach Bob Devaney.

In

national championship team. Dutton participated in the 1971 Nebraska-Oklahoma game, also called the "Game of the Century", generally considered one of the greatest college football games ever played.[1]

As a junior, he was named the starter at defensive end, registering 67 tackles (second on the team).

As a senior in

Blackshirts held the Longhorns to one field goal and 196 total yards or the Huskers' fifth bowl
victory in as many seasons.

He also competed in the

track
team.

In 1981, he was inducted into the University of Nebraska Athletics Hall of Fame.

Professional career

Baltimore Colts

Dutton was the fifth overall selection of the

1974 NFL Draft, taken by the Baltimore Colts. The 6-foot-7, 266-pound defensive end was ahead of his time and became an immediate starter at right defensive end, receiving NFL all-rookie honors at the end of the season.[2]
He had 79 tackles, 5 unofficial sacks and one pass defensed.

In the three consecutive seasons in which the Colts won the AFC East title from 1975 to 1977, he was a starting member of a defensive front four who collectively called themselves the "Looney Tunes" and was also known as the "Sack Pack."

defensive lineman
in the NFL.

In 1976, he led the team with 13 unofficial sacks and had 73 tackles.

In 1977, he appeared in 12 out of 14 games. He had 6 unofficial sacks and 39 tackles. He had 3 sacks against the Buffalo Bills.

In 1978, he led the team with 6 unofficial sacks and 3 fumble recoveries, while also making 115 tackles (third on the team). He started 14 games, before missing the last 2 with a foot injury. He had 10 solo tackles against the Miami Dolphins.

Dallas Cowboys

Dutton began the

1980 NFL Draft.[6]
He appeared in 8 games, starting in the final 4 contests including the playoffs. He registered 25 tackles and one unofficial sack.

When Jones returned in 1980, Dutton moved to left defensive tackle, playing behind Larry Cole. He tallied 52 tackles, 3.5 unofficial sacks, 2 fumble recoveries and one interception returned for a touchdown.

In

defensive line that also included Jones and Harvey Martin.[7] He recorded 81 tackles (sixth on the team), 4.5 unofficial sacks and 5 passes batted-down. He couldn't play in the NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers because of a bruised thigh and Larry Bethea
started in his place.

In 1982, he appeared in only 9 contests because of injuries and the player's strike, making 38 tackles and 2 sacks. In 1983, he had 71 tackles and 4.5 sacks. In 1984, he tallied 73 tackles and 2.5 sacks.

He was part of the 1985 defensive unit that holds the Cowboys' single-season sack record (62). He came out in obvious passing downs, finishing with 74 tackles and 4 sacks.

In

quarterback sacks as an official statistic until 1982
.

During his 9 years in Dallas, he helped the Cowboys reach the

defensive lineman to have never won a Super Bowl ring.[9]

Personal life

After his career in the NFL, former Husker Dutton retired to Lincoln, Nebraska. He became involved in businesses and for a short time owned and operated Dutton's Den, an off-sale liquor store and restaurant. He also founded a signs company.[10] Dutton now lives in Dallas, Texas.

References

  1. ^ "'Game of the Century truly was'". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  2. ^ "Colt 'Mountain Man'". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  3. ^ Mulvoy, Mark. "The New Colts Are Mighty Frisky," Sports Illustrated, December 8, 1975. Retrieved November 26, 2020
  4. ^ "'Sack Pack' Is Deflating Fast!". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  5. ^ "Pro Football's John Dutton Case," United Press International (UPI), Sunday, July 15, 1979. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
  6. ^ "Cowboys fill void with John Dutton". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  7. ^ "Jones Got Warm Welcome". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  8. ^ "Transactions". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  9. ^ "Cowboys' Dutton, Now a Slim 260, Finds He Can Do More With Less". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
  10. ^ "Cowboys Alumni Series: Catching Up With John Dutton". Retrieved March 16, 2020.

External links