| No. 43, 32 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Running back | ||||||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||
| Born | (1966-05-04)May 4, 1966 (age 59) Stuart, Florida, U.S. | ||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | ||||||||||||||
| Weight | 226 lb (103 kg) | ||||||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||||||
| High school | South Fork (Stuart) | ||||||||||||||
| College | Georgia Miami (FL) | ||||||||||||||
| NFL draft | 1989: 1st round, 26th overall pick | ||||||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||||||
| Awards and highlights | |||||||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||||||
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Cleveland Everette Gary (born May 4, 1966), also known asCleveland Edward Gary, is an American former professionalfootball player who was arunning back in theNational Football League (NFL). He playedcollege football for theGeorgia Bulldogs andMiami Hurricanes. Gary was selected in the first round of the1989 NFL draft by theLos Angeles Rams.[1] He led the NFL intouchdowns in 1990 with 14. In 1992 he rushed for 1,125 yards and caught 52 passes.
Gary attendedSouth Fork High School, where he was an outstanding baseball and football player. In baseball, he played shortstop for the South Fork Bulldogs and was a tremendous power hitter. Against archrivalMartin County High School his 450 ft home run over center field wall is noted as the longest hit home run in Bulldog history. In football, he was a Parade Magazine High School Football All-American. In his senior season, he rushed for 2,100 yards and scored 30 touchdowns. He was one of the nations most sought out athletes coming out of high school.
Gary began his college career at theUniversity of Georgia, where in his first start as a true freshman against Clemson he rushed for 101 yards and scored two touchdowns. After his freshman year at Georgia, he made the cover of Inside Sports Magazine and was touted as the best running back in the SEC as a true freshman. After his freshman season at Georgia he transferred to theUniversity of Miami, where he became a first-team All-American and set a school record for most catches (57) ever in a single season by a running back that stills stands. He was voted MVP of the Senior Bowl. Gary also played one season ofcollege baseball for the Hurricanes.
Gary was selected in the first round by theLos Angeles Rams with the 26th pick of the1989 NFL draft.[2]
Gary was offered a six-figure baseball contract from theAtlanta Braves in 1989. He played one season of minor league baseball with therookie-levelBradenton Expos as aleft fielder anddesignated hitter.[3] Gary displayed tremendous power as a hitter.
In 2007, Gary became part owner of theNational Indoor Football League, a professionalindoor football organization that ran for several seasons in the 2000s.
| Year | Team | GP | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | LAR | 10 | 37 | 163 | 4.4 | 18 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 8 | 0 |
| 1990 | LAR | 15 | 204 | 808 | 4.0 | 48 | 14 | 30 | 150 | 5.0 | 22 | 1 |
| 1991 | LAR | 10 | 68 | 245 | 3.6 | 14 | 1 | 13 | 110 | 8.5 | 22 | 0 |
| 1992 | LAR | 16 | 279 | 1,125 | 4.0 | 63 | 7 | 52 | 293 | 5.6 | 22 | 3 |
| 1993 | LAR | 15 | 79 | 293 | 3.7 | 15 | 1 | 36 | 289 | 8.0 | 60 | 1 |
| 1994 | MIA | 2 | 7 | 11 | 1.6 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 9.5 | 11 | 0 |
| Career | 68 | 674 | 2,645 | 3.9 | 63 | 24 | 135 | 874 | 6.5 | 60 | 5 | |