- Tony Baker
NFL player
DateOfBirth=birth date|1945|2|16|mf=y
Birthplace=Burlington, IA
DateOfDeath=death date and age|1998|08|09|1945|02|16
Deathplace=Mediapolis, IA
Position=Running back
College=Iowa State
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Stats=y
DatabaseFootball=BAKERTON01
PFR=BakeTo00
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years=1968-1971
1971-1972
1973-1974
1975
teams=New Orleans Saints Philadelphia Eagles Los Angeles Rams San Diego Chargers
ProBowls=1968
HOF=Vernon Anthony Baker (
February 16 1945 -August 9 1998 ) was anAmerican football running back in the NFL. He played from 1968 to 1975, and played for theNew Orleans Saints , thePhiladelphia Eagles , theLos Angeles Rams , and finally, theSan Diego Chargers , ending his career with onePro Bowl appearance in 1968.Baker graduated from Burlington Community High School in 1961, earning a scholarship to
Iowa State University the following year where he would graduate in 1966. He then played Semi-Pro ball for a season and a half, before being discovered by atalent scout for theNew Orleans Saints . He would sign a contract with the Saints, and begin his NFL career the following year, making an appearance in thePro Bowl in his rookie season. It was during this rookie season that sports broadcasterHoward Cosell gave him the nickname Touchdown Tony. He would end his career in 1975, playing with theSan Diego Chargers as a backup.He was killed in a car accident on
U.S. Route 61 , approximately 13 miles north ofBurlington, Iowa , aged 53.
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