| No. 34 | |
|---|---|
| Position: | Running back |
| Personal information | |
| Born: | (1950-06-22)June 22, 1950 (age 74) Helena, Montana, U.S. |
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) |
| Weight: | 205 lb (93 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school: | Thompson Falls (MT) |
| College: | Montana Tech |
| NFL draft: | 1972: 6th round, 135th pick |
| Career history | |
| |
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |
| Stats atPro Football Reference | |
Donald Perry Heater (born June 22, 1950) is a formerAmerican footballrunning back who played forSt. Louis Cardinals of theNational Football League (NFL).
Heater played collegiate football for theMontana Tech Orediggers, where he set threeNAIA records and 14 school records, and was named to the NAIA All-America team twice, as a junior and as a senior.[1][2][3][4] He ended his college career with more rushing yards than any other Montana collegiate, with over 4000 yards.[1] His NAIA records set in 1971 included most rushes in a season (319) and most rushing yards in season (1,797).[5] TheNew York Times wrote a story about Heater on October 31, 1971, during his senior year, stating that some scouts rated him higher thanCornell running backEd Marinaro, who later played for theMinnesota Vikings.[6]
Heater was drafted by the Cardinals in the 6th round of the1972 NFL draft with the 135th overall selection.[7][3] He was waived by the Cardinals before the start of the 1972 regular season.[2][3] He was signed by theGreen Bay Packers, who waived him before he played any games for them.[2][3][8] The Cardinals then resigned him and he played two games for the Cardinals before being waived again, after the Cardinals acquired running backsCannonball Butler andTom Woodeshick.[7][2][3][9][10] He played in the Cardinals first two games of the 1972 season on September 17 and 24, against theBaltimore Colts andWashington Redskins, respectively.[11] He then completed his degree in mining engineering at Montana Tech.[2] In late 1972 he received an invitation to tryout with theDallas Cowboys in February 1973 but he was cut before training camp.[2][12]
Heater may have been partially responsible fordefensive endLyle Alzado being drafted by the NFL. In 1970,Denver Broncos' coachStan Jones had car trouble inButte, Montana and stopped by Montana Tech while waiting for his car to be repaired. Heater's coach showed Jones films of Heater playing in a game against Alzado's school,Yankton College. Jones was so impressed with Alzado on the films that Denver drafted him in the1971 NFL draft.[13]