 Cronin with Pacific in 1955 | |||||
| No. 68, 85 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Defensive end,linebacker | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | (1933-11-20)November 20, 1933 Spalding, Nebraska, U.S. | ||||
| Died: | September 17, 2024(2024-09-17) (aged 90) Sacramento, California, U.S. | ||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||
| Weight: | 229 lb (104 kg) | ||||
| Career information | |||||
| High school: | C. K. McClatchy(Sacramento, California) | ||||
| College: | Pacific | ||||
| NFL draft: | 1956: 7th round, 74th pick | ||||
| Career history | |||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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Eugene Edward Cronin (November 20, 1933 – September 17, 2024) was an American professionalfootball player who was adefensive end in theNational Football League (NFL) for theDetroit Lions,Washington Redskins, andDallas Cowboys. He playedcollege football for thePacific Tigers.
Cronin attended Ione High School in California. He transferred toC. K. McClatchy High School after his freshman season. He practiced football andbasketball.
In 1952, he enrolled atSacramento City College. In 1953, he transferred to theUniversity of the Pacific. He played in the 1956East–West Shrine Game.
In 1984, he was inducted into the Pacific Athletics Hall of Fame.[1] In 2001, he was inducted into the Sacramento City College Hall of Fame.[2]
Cronin wasselected by theDetroit Lions in the seventh round (74th overall) of the1956 NFL draft. He initially made the team as a pass rushing specialist. In1957, he contributed to the team winning the NFL Championship.
Cronin was selected by theDallas Cowboys in the1960 NFL Expansion Draft. He became one of the first starters atoutside linebacker in franchise history (the other wasWayne Hansen).
On July 30,1961, he was traded to theWashington Redskins in exchange for a draft choice.[3]
Cronin played two seasons for theWashington Redskins. On August 26,1963, he was placed on theinjured reserve list with a back injury and was assigned scouting duties.[4] He only missed one game in seven seasons in the league.[5]
After he retired, he worked as theDetroit Lions' chief scout. In1965, he became the first person hired by the newly formedAtlanta Falcons and served as the Director of player personnel.[6] He was later promoted to assistant general manager, before resigning on November 15, 1968.[7]
Cronin died on September 17, 2024, at the age of 90.[8][9]
