Bobby Watkins (running back)

American football player (born 1932)

This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please help improve this article by introducing more precise citations. (October 2014) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

Bobby Watkins
Career information
Watkins on a 1955 Bowman football card
Born:	(1932-03-30)March 30, 1932 New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died:	September 25, 2022(2022-09-25) (aged 90) New Bedford, Massachusetts, U.S.
Position(s)	Halfback
College	Ohio State
NFL draft	1955, round: 2, pick: 23
Career history
As player
1955–1957	Chicago Bears
1958	Chicago Cardinals

Career highlights and awards
National champion (1954) 2× Second-team All-Big Ten (1953, 1954)

Robert Archbald Watkins Jr. (March 30, 1932 – September 25, 2022) was a former American football halfback who played college football at Ohio State University and professionally in the National Football League (NFL).

Ohio State

Watkins was one of the first black running backs at the Ohio State University. He lettered from 1952 through 1954 and was one of the first recruits of legendary Ohio State football coach Woody Hayes. Hayes shrugged off criticism by some bigoted alumni, insisting he would not consider recruits based on skin color. Watkins was Ohio State's leading rusher in 1953 and leading scorer during the 1954 national championship season.

NFL

Watkins was the 23rd selection in the 1955 NFL draft. He played three years with the Bears before ending his career with the crosstown Chicago Cardinals.

Professional life

Watkins formerly served as a vice president of Seagrams and Sons and was an expert on the American Civil War. He was a guest speaker on many occasions including as the keynote speaker at the Plymouth Teaching American History Grant's culminating celebration.

Watkins served as the Chair of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Blue Ribbon Commission on Athletics.

Death

Watkins died in New Bedford, Massachusetts on September 25, 2022, at the age of 90.

References

"Robert A. Watkins, Jr". Current Obituary. Retrieved January 25, 2024.
"Bobby Watkins". Trading Card Database. Retrieved January 25, 2024.

External links

NFL.com player page
The past comes to life thanks to Teaching American History Grant Bridgewater State College
Foundation Board of Directors UMass Dartford

v t e 1954 Ohio State Buckeyes football—AP national champions
Hubert Bobo John Borton Dick Brubaker Howard Cassady Dean Dugger Frank Ellwood Dave Leggett Bill Michael Jim Parker Don Vicic Bobby Watkins Tad Weed Head coach Woody Hayes Assistant coaches Lyal Clark Gene Fekete George Steinbrenner Ernie Godfrey Bill Hess Doyt Perry Esco Sarkkinen

1954 Ohio State Buckeyes football—AP national champions

Head coach: Woody Hayes

Assistant coaches: Lyal Clark; Gene Fekete; George Steinbrenner; Ernie Godfrey; Bill Hess; Doyt Perry; Esco Sarkkinen

v t e Chicago Bears 1955 NFL draft selections
Ron Drzewiecki Bobby Watkins Joe O'Malley Leland Kendall Dan Shannon Henry Mosely Bruce Sturgess Gene Verkerk Jim Lavery John Allen Tom Redfield Clarence Bratt Norm Cash Ed Nickla J. D. Smith Mel Harrison Claude Roach Allen Jones Joe James Choyce Hall Carl Allison Jerry Barger Joe Young Charley Dees Perry Jeter Joel Kinley Charley Wright Dick Klein Jerry Fouts

This biographical article relating to an American football running back born in the 1930s is a stub. You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it.

Categories: