| No. 87 | |||||||||||
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| Position: | Tight End | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | (1943-07-15)July 15, 1943 (age 81) Gulfport, Mississippi, U.S. | ||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 240 lb (109 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Holy Cross (New Orleans, Louisiana) | ||||||||||
| College: | LSU | ||||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1964: 2nd round, 26th pick | ||||||||||
| AFL draft: | 1964: 2nd round, 14 (by theHouston Oilers)th pick | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||||
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William Frederick Truax (born July 15, 1943) is a formerAmerican footballtight end in theNational Football League (NFL) for theLos Angeles Rams andDallas Cowboys. He playedcollege football atLouisiana State University.
Truax attendedHoly Cross, where he practiced football,basketball,baseball andtrack. As a senior, he received All-state, All-Prep, All-Catholic,Times-Picayune four-sport Athlete of the Year, honorable-mention All-Southern and All-American nomination spot for Louisiana honors.
Truax accepted a football scholarship fromLouisiana State University. As a freshman, he played on thejunior varsity team and suffered a broken leg againstMississippi State University.[1]
He became a starter as a sophomore and was mainly used as a blocker forrunning backEarl Gros, tallying 5 receptions (fifth on the team) for 61 yards (12.2-yard average).
As a junior, he blocked forrunning backJerry Stovall, registering 3 receptions for 101 yards (third on the team), a 33.7-yard average (led the team) and onetouchdown.
As a senior, he was named a team captain, while leading the team with 10 receptions for 112 yards (11.2-yard average) and onetouchdown. He also played defense during his career, collecting 2 interceptions and 3 fumble recoveries.
In 2019, he was inducted into the Sugar Bowl's Greater New Orleans Sports Hall of Fame.[2]
Truax was selected by theCleveland Browns in the second round (26th overall) of the1964 NFL draft. He also was selected by theHouston Oilers in the second round (14th overall) of the1964 AFL Draft.
As a 21-year-old rookie, he was converted into anoutside linebacker and suffered a torn a hamstring on the first day oftraining camp. He lost 6 weeks and was traded to the Rams without having played a down for the Browns on August 31, in exchange for a 1965 second round draft choice (#22-Gerry Bussell).[3]
In1964, he was tried atdefensive end before settling attight end. In his first 2 seasons he played mainly on thespecial teams units. In1966, he began playing in the offense, where his size made him an excellent blocker. He had 7 receptions for 62 yards against theGreen Bay Packers.
In1967, he recorded 37 receptions (tied for second on the team) for 487 yards (third on the team) and 4touchdowns. He had 6 receptions for 74 yards against theBaltimore Colts.
In1968, although he was limited with a broken bone in his left wrist for most of the season, he tallied 35 receptions (led the team) for 417 yards (fourth on the team) and 3touchdowns.
In1969, he had 37 receptions (fourth on the team) for 431 yards (third on the team) and 5touchdowns. His best game came against theAtlanta Falcons, collecting 7 receptions for 111 yards and one touchdown.
In1970, he registered 36 receptions (third on the team) for 420 yards (third on the team) and 3touchdowns. On May 19,1971, Truax was traded along withwide receiverWendell Tucker to theDallas Cowboys in exchange forwide receiverLance Rentzel.[4]
In1971, he was limited with torn cartilage in his left knee and played 12 games (10 starts), with 4 contests started by future hall of fame tight endMike Ditka.[5] He only had 15 receptions for 232 yards and onetouchdown, but was a part of the Cowboys'Super Bowl VI championship team.
In1972, he was limited from off-season knee surgery and lost his starting job to Ditka. He was only able to play in 6 games and catch 4 passes for 49 yards.
In1973, the Cowboys draftedtight endBilly Joe DuPree in the first round. On September 5, Truax was assigned to thetaxi squad because of a stomach disorder (ulcer).[6] He appeared in 2 games and didn't register any stats, before being placed on theinjured reserve list on October 26.[7] He was not re-signed after the season.
On April 15,1974, he was signed as afree agent by theNew York Giants.[8] He was released before the start of the season.
His cousinDalton Truax playedoffensive tackle in theAmerican Football League for theOakland Raiders.