Royce Elmer Berry (born April 19, 1946) is an American former defensive end in the American Football League (AFL) in 1969 and in the National Football League (NFL) from 1970 to 1976.
 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born: | April 19, 1946 Odessa, Texas, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| College: | Houston |
| Position: | Defensive end |
| NFL draft: | 1969 / round: 7 / pick: 161 |
| Career history | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Early life
editBerry grew up in Odessa, Texas, and played football at Permian High School.[1] He was also on the 1964 basketball team, the first in program history to win the district championship, as well as the baseball team.[2][3]
Berry played college football for the Houston in 1965, 1966 and in 1968. He missed the 1967 season due to injury.[4][5]
NFL career
editHe was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round (161st overall) of the 1969 AFL/NFL Common Draft.[6] In his sophomore season of 1970, he started all 14 games as a defensive end, most notably the first-ever Bengals-Cleveland Browns matchup in which Berry scooped up a fumble and returned it 58 yards for a touchdown.[7]
He missed only one start between 1970 and 1973 at left defensive end as part of a formidable line along with Mike Reid, Steve Chomyszak and Ron Carpenter.[8]
In 1974, he played in 13 games, starting one. He was on injured reserve with a broken wrist and did not see action for the Bengals in 1975.[9] Berry served as defensive captain for six seasons.[10]
In May, 1976, Berry was traded to the Chicago Bears.[10] Berry returned for one more NFL season, his eighth, in 1976 with the Chicago Bears, for whom he played in 12 games, starting two.[11] He was waived by the Bears just prior to the 1977 season.[12]
References
edit- ^ "Permian High School - Panther Yearbook (Odessa, TX), Class of 1964, Page 214". E-yearbook.com. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- ^ "The Permian Baseball Annual - 1963". Mojobaseball.com. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- ^ "BOYS BASKETBALL: Thomas feeds Panthers, then feeds himself in win against Bronchos - Odessa American: Boys". Oaoa.com. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- ^ "When Bill Yeoman rings, smart guys hang up quick - 09.11.67 - SI Vault". Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- ^ "Cougar Cards: 1970 Topps #86 Royce Berry". Cougarcards.blogspot.com. August 18, 2010. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- ^ "Royce Berry NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- ^ "Cleveland Browns defeat Cincinnati Bengals and Paul Brown in first meeting: This Day in Browns History". Cleveland.com. October 12, 2013. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- ^ "Royce Berry - SI Vault". Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2014.
- ^ "The Charleston Daily Mail from Charleston, West Virginia · Page 23". Newspapers.com. September 3, 1975. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 4, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Royce Berry NFL & AFL Football Statistics". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 18, 2016.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on May 6, 2016. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)