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 an American football running back in the NFL. He played from 1968 to 1975, and played for the New Orleans Saints, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Los Angeles Rams, and finally, the San Diego Chargers, ending his career with one Pro 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 a talent scout for the New Orleans Saints. He would sign a contract with the Saints, and begin his NFL career the following year, making an appearance in the Pro Bowl in his rookie season. It was during this rookie season that sports broadcaster Howard Cosell gave him the nickname Touchdown Tony. He would end his career in 1975, playing with the San Diego Chargers as a backup.

He was killed in a car accident on U.S. Route 61, approximately 13 miles north of Burlington, Iowa, aged 53.