John Dutton (defensive lineman)
No. 78 | |||||||
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Position: | Central (Rapid City) | ||||||
College: | Nebraska | ||||||
NFL draft: | 1974 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5 | ||||||
Career history | |||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||
Career NFL statistics | |||||||
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Player stats at NFL.com · PFR |
John Owen Dutton (born February 6, 1951) is an American former professional
Early years
Born and raised in
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
As a junior, he was named the starter at defensive end, registering 67 tackles (second on the team).
As a senior in
He also competed in the
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
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."
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
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
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
During his 9 years in Dallas, he helped the Cowboys reach the
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
- ^ "'Game of the Century truly was'". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ "Colt 'Mountain Man'". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ Mulvoy, Mark. "The New Colts Are Mighty Frisky," Sports Illustrated, December 8, 1975. Retrieved November 26, 2020
- ^ "'Sack Pack' Is Deflating Fast!". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ "Pro Football's John Dutton Case," United Press International (UPI), Sunday, July 15, 1979. Retrieved December 22, 2022.
- ^ "Cowboys fill void with John Dutton". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ "Jones Got Warm Welcome". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ "Transactions". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ "Cowboys' Dutton, Now a Slim 260, Finds He Can Do More With Less". Retrieved March 16, 2020.
- ^ "Cowboys Alumni Series: Catching Up With John Dutton". Retrieved March 16, 2020.