Bobby Humphrey

Infobox NFLretired


position=Running back
number=26
birthdate=birth date and age|1966|10|11
Birmingham, Alabama
deathdate=
debutyear=1989
finalyear=1993
draftyear=1989
draftround=1
draftpick=
Supplemental
college=Alabama
teams=
* Denver Broncos (1989-1992)
* Miami Dolphins (1993)
stat1label=Rushing Yards
stat1value=2,857
stat2label=Average
stat2value=4.1
stat3label=Touchdowns
stat3value=15
nfl=HUM415290
highlights=
* 1x Pro Bowl selection (1990)
HOF=
CollegeHOF=

Bobby Woywer Humphrey (born October 11, 1966, in Birmingham, Alabama), is a former professional American football player who was selected in the 1st round by the Denver Broncos in the 1989 NFL Supplemental Draft after a stellar career at the University of Alabama. In his 4 seasons playing for the Crimson Tide, Humphrey rushed for 3,420 yards, caught 60 passes for 523 yards, and scored 40 touchdowns. He made the College Football All-America Team in 1986 and 1987. In 1986, he set a school record with 1,471 rushing yards. In 1987, he was voted as UPI's offensive player of the year and finished 10th in the Heisman Trophy balloting. [http://www.rolltide.com/fls/8000/files/football/records/All_Americans.pdf]

Professional career

Humphrey was selected in the 1st round of the NFL's supplemental draft in 1989 by the Denver Broncos.

During his rookie season, he rushed for 1,151 yards and seven touchdowns for the Broncos as they qualified for Super Bowl XXIV, but were defeated 55-10 by the San Francisco 49ers. Humphrey, however, played well, finishing the game as the Broncos leader in both rushing (61 yards) and receiving (31 yards). Humphrey was named NFL Rookie of the Year and followed his impressive rookie performance with a Pro Bowl selection in 1990, rushing for 1,202 yards and 7 touchdowns in 1990.

In 1991, Humphrey held out of training camp in hopes of obtaining a new contract. The Broncos, by team policy, refused to renegotiate his pay and the holdout continued late into the season.

Unable to secure a new contract, Humphrey finally ended his holdout in week 14. But by that time, newly signed Gaston Green had emerged as the team's starting running back and was on his way to completing his own 1000 yard season. Furthermore, Humphrey had fallen out of favor with the team's coaching and front office as a result of the holdout. When Humphrey returned in week 14, he was out of shape and given only a reserve role. He remained on the bench as Denver made a run to AFC Championship Game, losing to the Buffalo Bills 10-7.

The following offseason he was traded to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for running back Sammie Smith. He played for the Dolphins from 1992 to 1993 but was never able to regain the success he experienced in Denver.

Life after the NFL

In early 1993, Humphrey was arrested for cocaine possession and was later shot by his friend in the leg with a .38 caliber pistol. Humphrey was the head coach of the Birmingham Steeldogs of the Arena Football League 2 from 2000-2005.