Earl Thomas Ferrell (born March 27, 1958), is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the East Tennessee State Buccaneers and was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth round of the 1982 NFL draft. Standing 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) and 220 lbs., Ferrell played his entire NFL career for the Cardinals from 1982 to 1989. He led all Cardinals running backs in rushing yards during the 1988 and 1989 seasons, the team's first two years playing in Phoenix.
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| Position: | Running back | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | March 27, 1958 Halifax, Virginia, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 225 lb (102 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Halifax Co. (South Boston, Virginia) | ||||||||
| College: | East Tennessee St. | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1982 / round: 5 / pick: 125 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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He was the second player, and one of only four in the school's history, to be selected in the draft and play in the NFL after playing college football at ETSU.[1]
After a Pro Bowl appearance in each of his final two seasons, Ferrell's career was cut short due to problems with illegal drugs. In 1988, Ferrell reportedly tested positive three times for cocaine and, before the 1990 season, he was suspended for one year because of another failed drug test. He never played in the NFL again.[2] On receiving the news of his suspension, Ferrell chose to retire.[3]
References
edit- ^ NFL Draft History Full Draft: East Tennessee State
- ^ "Ferrell to Miss Season For Positive Drug Test", New York Times, April 26, 1990.
- ^ Walter Berry, "Cards' Ferrell retires after testing positive for drugs", The Times-News, April 26, 1990.
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