Israel Alvin "Izzy" Lang (February 2, 1942 - October 10, 2008) was a former American football running back who played for six seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 18th round of the 1964 NFL draft. He played for the Eagles from 1964–1968, and the Los Angeles Rams in 1969. He played college football at Tennessee State.
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| Position: | Running back | ||||||||
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| Born: | February 2, 1942 Tampa, Florida, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died: | October 10, 2008 (aged 66) Sunset Park, Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 232 lb (105 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Tampa (FL) George S. Middleton | ||||||||
| College: | Tennessee State | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1964 / round: 18 / pick: 240 | ||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Professional career
editPhiladelphia Eagles
editLang was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 18th round (240th overall) of the 1964 NFL draft. He was mainly a backup during his first two seasons in the NFL, and he earned the starting running back job in 1966 NFL season. In the season-opener against the St. Louis Cardinals, Lang rushed for 65 yards on 16 carries. In week 2, he rushed for 114 yards on 16 attempts.[1] Lang was named Most Valuable Player of the 1966 Playoff Bowl, even though he did not start in the game.[2] The Eagles lost the game to the Baltimore Colts, 20–14.
In 1968, Lang rushed for 235 yards on 35 carries. After the season, he asked to be traded from the team.[3]
Los Angeles Rams
editOn July 7, 1969, Lang was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for defensive end John Zook and wide receiver Harold Jackson.[4] He retired after the season.[5]
After football
editLang made an appearance in the 1970 film Where's Poppa? as Muthafucka.[6]
Lang was arrested 24 times after his retirement. On November 15, 1988, he was arrested for impersonating then-New York Giants running back Joe Morris by forging checks. He had convinced United Jersey Bank to cash a check in Morris' name.[5] He had also impersonated Lawrence Taylor, Leonard Marshall and Doug Williams.[7] He is buried at Hart Island (Bronx).
References
edit- ^ "'Unlikely' Izzy Lang Looms Successor To Jimmy Brown". The Pittsburgh Press. September 21, 1966. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ "Israel Lang's Rare Feat". The Milwaukee Sentinel. January 10, 1967. Archived from the original on May 12, 2016. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ "Fullback Lang Wants Eagles to Trade Him". Reading Eagle. July 1, 1969. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ "Rams' Allen wheels Another pro deal". July 8, 1969. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ a b "Former football player charged with forgery". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. November 18, 1988. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ Macnow, Glen and Big Daddy Graham (2006). The Great Book of Philadelphia Sports Lists. Running Press. p. 31. ISBN 9780762428403. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
- ^ "Israel Lang, former running back for the". Los Angeles Times. November 18, 1988. Retrieved August 24, 2010.
External links
edit- Israel Lang at IMDb