L. G. Dupre

Louis George Dupre (September 10, 1932 – August 9, 2001) was a professional American football running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Baltimore Colts and Dallas Cowboys. He played college football at Baylor University.

Biography

Early years

Dupre attended Texas City High School in Texas City, Texas.

On April 16, 1947, Dupre was on his way to school, carrying his books and walking along the sea wall.^[1] Suddenly there was a gigantic explosion that threw him from his feet, briefly knocking him unconscious.^[1] A chain reaction of mighty explosions followed, sending jagged shards of debris through the air.^[1]

"I stayed huddled up for a while because I was plenty scared," Dupre recalled. "I thought it was an earthquake. Then I thought it was an atom bomb. I didn't know what it was.... I didn't know the whole town was blowing up. I ran to where the school was and just happened to meet my brother by accident. All the buildings were leveled. Ambulances were racing all over the place. Our whole town was ripped apart. It seemed like everybody was cut and bleeding. My two cousins were killed."^[1]

Approximately 650 people were killed in what is today remembered as the Texas City disaster, caused when a fire aboard a docked transport ship ignited 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate and thereby beginning a chain reaction of exploding warehouses and oil storage facilities.^[2]

College career

Dupre accepted a football scholarship from Baylor University. In 1953, he was part of a backfield that became known as the “Fearsome Foursome”, that comprised him, quarterback Cotton Davidson, halfback Jerry Coody and fullback Allen Jones. That season, he set a school record by rushing for 593 yards.^[3]

In his last two years at Baylor, the team went 7–3 and 7–4 and played in the Gator Bowl in 1954. He played a key role in the 1955 College All-Star's victory over the Cleveland Browns.

He was given the nickname "Long Gone" by sportscaster Kern Tips. He finished his career with 311 carries for 1,423 yards and 19 touchdowns. In 1981, he was inducted into Baylor's Athletic Hall of Fame.^[4]

Professional career

Baltimore Colts

Dupre was selected by the

In 1957, he was fourth on the team with 32 receptions for 339 yards. He was a part of the 1958 NFL Championship Game against the New York Giants, famously known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played". He started the game by gaining 30 yards on 10 carries.

In

Hall of Famer Art Donovan had this to say of Dupre: "But the running back who was really something, the guy who could really fight, was a teammate of mine named L.G. DuPre. Louis George DuPre to his family; Long Gone DuPre to the rest of the world. Long Gone grew up in Texas City, Texas, the oil refinery town that blew up back in the 1940s. He was playing hooky from school that day and was out fishing at the end of a jetty, so he wasn't hurt. But L.G. had an amazing childhood, primarily because his father used to bring L.G. and his brother into barrooms and let them fight each other while he passed the hat. They used to whale the tar out of each other, from what I understand. I met his father once. And I asked him if the story was true. Mr. DuPre said, 'Sure is, son. We used to pass the hat. Turned quite a nice dollar, too.' Now, that is one tough sonofabitch. And L.G. grew up just like his daddy. He wouldn't take a back step to anyone. All these other galoots in the league, they'd just swing and get swung at during a rumble. Their heads were all hard enough to withstand just about anything. But L.G., there was a scientific fighter. I can still picture him out in the middle of some brawl on the field feinting and jabbing and, boom, he'd unload that right hand and coldcock the poor sucker who was foolish enough to be mixing it up with him."[5]

Dallas Cowboys

Dupre was selected by the

In 1961, his role was reduced with the emergence of Don Perkins and Amos Marsh. He was released on September 4, 1962.^[6]

A Baltimore Sun article on October 2, 1962, indicated that the Baltimore Colts were interested in signing him to replace Lenny Moore, in case his injuries were serious enough to keep him from playing. The Sun reporter spoke with Dupre's wife in Dallas and she explained that Dupre had to first check with his employer (General Electric) about a leave of absence. She indicated that he had a good job and did not want to lose it. His wife was still Sissy Dupre. He stayed retired from professional football and did not return to Baltimore.

Personal life

Dupre married wife Alda Maxine (Sissy) Dupre on February 4, 1955 in