| No. 21 | |||||||||
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| Position: | Safety | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | (1943-03-05)March 5, 1943 (age 82) Brooklyn, New York, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 185 lb (84 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Scotch Plains-Fanwood | ||||||||
| College: | North Carolina State | ||||||||
| AFL draft: | 1964: 13th round, 100 (By theBoston Patriots)th pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Joseph Henry Scarpati Jr. (born March 5, 1943) is a formerAmerican footballsafety who played seven seasons with thePhiladelphia Eagles andNew Orleans Saints of theNational Football League (NFL).
Scarpati was first drafted by theBoston Patriots out ofNC State but instead chose to sign withVince Lombardi'sGreen Bay Packers. He was released during the exhibition games and signed with theMinnesota Vikings, but was released a few days later. He then signed with thePhiladelphia Eagles, where he would spend the next six seasons of his career. In 1970, he spent the season with theNew Orleans Saints, and was the holder forTom Dempsey's record breaking 63-yard field goal. He attempted to return for an eighth season back with the Eagles but suffered an injury in training camp and retired shortly afterwards.
Scarpati was born on March 5, 1943, inBrooklyn, New York. He was raised inScotch Plains, New Jersey, and attendedScotch Plains-Fanwood High School.[1] His high school coach Chuck Nelson described him as "a boy who comes up once in 25 years."[2] He was an all-around player in high school, excelling a center, halfback, and cornerback.[3] A 1958 newspaper article described him as "like a cat on defense. Wherever the play goes, Joe's there. You rarely get a pass by him. If it's near Joe, it's as good as intercepted."[2]
Scarpati was recruited to theNC State Wolfpack football[4] team byPat Peppler, who would recruit him into theNational Football League (NFL) as well.[5] He played and lettered from '61 to '63. In 1961, he appeared in all 10 games while recording 43 attempts for 164 yards and 1 touchdown.[6] He also amassed 14 catches for 150 yards and 2 scores.[6] In the ACC, he placed 9th in Touchdowns, 9th in points, and 5th in receiving touchdowns.[6] Scarpati gained All-ACC honors in each year that he played. He recorded 62 rushes for 210 yards the following year, and scored two touchdowns.[6] He was named the team captain in 1963 after leading the Wolfpack in receiving, scoring, and punt returns.[7][8] As team captain in his senior year, Scarpati had 49 rushes for 137 yards and two touchdowns.[6] He had more of a receiving role his senior year, with 24 receptions for 273 yards and two scores.[6] He placed 4th in the ACC for yards per catch in '63.[6]
In the1964 AFL Draft, he was selected by theBoston Patriots (13th round, 100th pick) but choseVince Lombardi'sGreen Bay Packers instead. The Packers' Personnel DirectorPat Peppler recruited him.[5] He stayed in training camp before being released in pre-season.[5] He then signed with the rivalMinnesota Vikings, however, he was released a few days later.[5]
After being released by Minnesota, he was signed to replace an injuredPhiladelphia Eagles defensive back.[5] Pro Bowl receiverPete Retzlaff later recalled Scarpati's first practice with the team. He stated "When I took a look at his size (5'10, 185), my first reaction was 'This will be easy,' then when I ran against him, I found out that I couldn't get rid of him."[9] In his rookie season, he played in 12 out of 14 games and collected three interceptions. One of which he returned for a 24-yard touchdown.[10][5] He started in 11 of those games, and also recorded a fumble recovery and punt return.[11]
He started all 14 games the next year and also recorded his only career offensive touch, a 6-yard rush.[11] He had 3 interceptions during the season, returned for 4 yards.[11]
Scarpati had his best season the following year, leading the league in interception return yards with 182 on 8 returns.[11] He made appearances in all 14 games in '66.[11] In a game against theDallas Cowboys, he stripped the ball fromDan Reeves on the Eagles 13 yard line to prevent the Cowboys from taking the lead late and winning the game.[12]
He would start all but 2 games in the next three seasons and recorded 10 interceptions, two of which were touchdowns.[13] In '68, he had two pass attempts.[14]
After a knee operation in '69, Scarpati returned and made four interceptions, including one returned for a touchdown.
In 1970, Scarpati was traded to theNew Orleans Saints for guardNorman Davis and safetyBo Burris.[9] With the Saints he played in 14 games, starting 10, and had 1 interception.[11] He was part of a historic play when he was the holder for a record-breaking 63-yard field goal byTom Dempsey.[5]
He attempted to return for an eighth season with Philadelphia in 1971, but suffered an injury in training camp and retired shortly afterwards.
