Twenty seven days ago, we embarked on a countdown towards the 2016 NFL draft here on Inside The Star. Cowboys on the Clock has taken a look at the most recent first round pick the team has made corresponding to the number of days remaining until the draft.
While the number 4 certainly means a lot to Dallas in the upcoming draft, as they will be selecting with the fourth overall pick for just the second time, it did not carry all that much meaning back in 1964.
Reason being, the player selected – Texas’ Scott Appleton – never saw a snap in the silver and blue.
Scott Appleton[get_helmet team=”dal” face=”l” align=”right” size=”md”]
Appleton’s rights were traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers following his selection by the Cowboys. In return, Dallas added star WR Buddy Dial to the roster.
Coming off a career high 60 receptions for 9 touchdowns in 1963, Dial closed out his career in Dallas by playing three seasons from 1964-1966. He would catch 42 passes for 2 touchdowns over this stretch.
Meanwhile, Appleton signed with the AFL’s Houston Oilers rather than the Steelers after being drafted by Houston. Finally with a place to play, Appleton failed to do much of anything in his short career.
While he recorded two interceptions at the defensive tackle position in his rookie season, Appleton would be out of Houston by the end of the 1966 season. Here, he was traded to the San Diego Chargers, where he played two more disappointing seasons.
Appleton would retire from football following his bizarre 5 year stint in Houston and San Diego, but sign with the Portland Storm of the WFL in 1974. The league folded in 1975, ending Appleton’s football career.
His best playing days certainly came as a Texas Longhorn, where he was an all conference player in 1962 and ’63. In his senior season of 1964, he helped lead Texas to a National Championship as an All-American player and Outland Trophy winner.
Cowboys on the Clock will be going beyond the clock for the last time tomorrow, as the team has never selected with the 3rd overall pick. Until then, check out the link below to catch up on previous players to be highlighted in the series, starting with yesterday’s profile on Terence Newman.
//insidethestar.com/cowboys-clock-terence-newman-5-overall/
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