| No. 85, 28, 45, 44 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Cornerback | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | (1934-07-01)July 1, 1934 Rawlings, Virginia, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died: | November 13, 1998(1998-11-13) (aged 64) | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 209 lb (95 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Jefferson (CA) | ||||||||
| College: | LA City College | ||||||||
| Undrafted: | 1958 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Donald William Bishop (July 1, 1934 – November 13, 1998) was an American professionalfootballcornerback in theNational Football League (NFL) for thePittsburgh Steelers,Chicago Bears andDallas Cowboys. He playedcollege football atLos Angeles City College.
Bishop was born on July 1, 1934, inRawlings, Virginia. He attendedJefferson High School, where he competed in football andbaseball.
He enrolled atLos Angeles City College, where he was a two-wayend.[1]
In 1953, he receivedAll-Western State Conference honors.[2] He spent two years out of football while serving his military service.
He returned in 1957 and was named the starter a left end.[3] He receivedAll-Western State Conference and Junior CollegeAll-American honors.[4][5]
Bishop was signed as anundrafted free agent by thePittsburgh Steelers after the1958 NFL draft on January 29.[6] He was tried atsplit end and as ahalfback, catching only 3 passes in his rookie season. In his second year, he was used at defensive halfback andpunt returner, but was released after 2 games on October 12, because of poor performances.[7]
TheChicago Bears claimed him off waivers during the1959 season, but played him in only one game.[8]
On September 6,1960, the expansionDallas Cowboys claimed him off waivers. Bishop was switched tocornerback and during the Cowboys'1960 inaugural year, he became the franchise first startingright cornerback, registering 71 tackles, 13 passes defensed and 3interceptions in a 12-game season, tying him withTom Franckhauser for the team lead.[9]
In1961, he began to stand out, finishing with 8interceptions in a 14-game season, including 6 in the first five contests.[10] He trailed league leaderDick Lynch by one. OnlyEverson Walls (twice) andMel Renfro (once), have had moreinterceptions in a season for the Cowboys. He also established a team record that still stands today, with five consecutive games with aninterception. Bishop did not make thePro Bowl, but was named to theSporting News first-teamAll-NFL team.
In1962, he had 6interceptions and also scored his lone careertouchdown, returning aninterception 84 yards in a loss to theLos Angeles Rams. After missing thePro Bowl the previous season, Bishop was one of the first Cowboys players ever to receive this honor.[11] In thePro Bowl, he recovered anAbe Woodson kickoff fumble, returning it 20 yards untouched for the final score in a 30–20 win.[12]
In1963, he recorded 5interceptions, making him the Cowboys leader ininterceptions during their first four years of existence. He suffered a knee injury in the sixth game against theNew York Giants.[13]
The knee injury forced him to have surgery before the1964 season, which would limit him the rest of his career. He started 7 games at right cornerback, while alternating withWarren Livingston.
In1965, he was a backup behind Livingston. He retired at the end of the1966 season.[14]
Bishop played 9 seasons in theNFL, leaving as the Cowboys careerinterceptions leader. His 22interceptions rank eleventh on the current franchise careerinterceptions list. Although he played on some of the Cowboys worst teams, he became one of their original defensive stars.
Bishop at one point worked as a morticians' assistant during the off-season.