Rommie Loudd

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Rommie Loudd
Boston Patriots
Career highlights and awards

Rommie Lee Loudd (June 8, 1933 – May 9, 1998) was an American collegiate and professional American football player, coach, and executive. He was the first black assistant coach in the American Football League (AFL)[1] and the first black majority owner of a major league sports team.[2]

Playing career

Loudd was born in

FWAA & UPI National Champions
.

He was drafted by the

Boston Patriots
.

Coaching

In 1964, Loudd moved to coaching. He was the defensive coach of the

linebackers coach for the Boston Patriots and the first African-American coach in the history of the AFL.[3]
After two seasons as coach, Loudd moved to the front office, where he was the Patriots Director of Player Personnel from 1968 to 1971 and Director of Pro Scouting from 1971 to 1973.

In 1973, Loudd led a bid to get a National Football League franchise in Orlando, Florida.[4] The expansion franchise would instead go to Philadelphia construction magnate Thomas McCloskey who founded the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In 1974, Loudd became the owner of the Florida Blazers of the World Football League.[5] He was the first black top executive in major league sports.[6]
Loudd, one season, worked with Don Gillis for New England Patriots preseason.

Legal troubles

On April 3, 1957, Loudd was charged with child molestation. He and four other men allegedly engaged in sodomy and other sexual acts with three boys, ages twelve, thirteen, and fifteen, who were picked up off the street wearing wigs and women's clothing. He was found guilty on two charges of child molestation and sentenced to six months in jail and five years of probation.[7]

On December 23, 1974, Loudd was arrested on charges of embezzling state sales tax money.[8] Three months later he was charged with conspiracy and delivery of cocaine.[9] He was sentenced to two concurrent fourteen-year sentences for conviction on two counts of delivering cocaine.[10] He was also sentenced to two years in prison for possession and distribution of cocaine.[11] The sales tax embezzlement and conspiracy to deliver cocaine charges were dropped following his convictions on drug charges.[10] After three years in prison, Loudd was released on parole.[12] and became an associate minister at Mount Tabor Baptist Church.[1]

Death

Loudd died on May 9, 1998, in

Miami, Florida, aged 64, of complications from diabetes.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Rommie Loudd, 64, Pro Football Coach". The New York Times. May 18, 1998. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
  2. ^ "Sports News Briefs; First Black Top Executive in Sports". New York Times. May 21, 1974. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  3. St. Petersburg Times
    . March 4, 1966. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  4. ^ Girard, Fred (April 8, 1973). "His Selling Point: Black Ownership". St. Petersburg Times. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  5. ^ Zier, Patrick (July 12, 1974). "Being Owner Something New for Rommie Loudd". The Ledger. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  6. ^ "Sports News Briefs; First Black Top Executive in Sports – Free Preview". The New York Times. May 21, 1974. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
  7. S2CID 35437602
    .
  8. ^ "Orlando Boss Faces Charges". Spokane Daily Chronicle. December 23, 1974. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  9. ^ "Ex-GM in WFL charged in drug ring". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. March 11, 1975. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
  10. ^ a b "State Drops Charges Against Jailed Loudd". St. Petersburg Times. July 20, 1976. Retrieved June 13, 2009.
  11. ^ "Loudd Gets Two Years For Cocaine Possession". Pqasb.pqarchiver.com. March 9, 1976. Retrieved June 12, 2009.
  12. ^ "Loudd is Granted Parole". St. Petersburg Times. September 23, 1978. Retrieved June 13, 2009.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rommie_Loudd&oldid=1215798198"