Elvin Bethea

Infobox NFLretired


|position=Defensive end
number=65
birthdate=birth date and age|1946|3|1
Trenton, New Jersey
debutyear=1968
finalyear=1983
AFLdraftyear=1968
AFLdraftround=3
AFLdraftpick=
college=North Carolina A&T
teams=
* Houston Oilers (1968-1983)
stat1label=Sacks
stat1value=105
stat2label=Tackles
stat2value=691 (1974-1983)
stat3label=Touchdowns
stat3value=1
nfl=BET127782
highlights=
* 8x Pro Bowl selection (1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1978, 1979)
* 1x First-team All-Pro selections (1975)
* 4x Second-team All-Pro selections (1969, 1973, 1978, 1979)
* 4X First-team All-AFC selections (1969, 1971, 1972, 1974)
* 4X Second-team All-AFC selections (1973, 1975, 1978, 1979)
* Houston Oilers #65 retired
HOF=26
CollegeHOF=

Elvin Lamont Bethea (born March 1, 1946, Trenton, New Jersey) is a former American football defensive end who played his entire career with the Houston Oilers. He was a three-time All-American when he played for North Carolina A&T State University and was the first person from that school to be elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bethea played high school football at Trenton Central High School. [ [http://www.databasefootball.com/players/playerpage.htm?ilkid=BETHEELV01 Elvin Bethea] , database Football. Accessed November 26, 2007.]

During his career in Houston, Bethea played in 210 games, including a stretch of 135 consecutive. He played at defensive end and guard in the 1968 season and didn’t miss a game until breaking his arm in a game against the Oakland Raiders in 1977. He led the team in sacks six times, finishing his career with 105 unofficial sacks. [ [http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=26 profootballhof.com] ]

His career high was in 1973 with 16 sacks, which still ranks as the best in Oilers/Tennessee Titans history. [ [http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=26 Member - Pro Football Hall of Fame ] ] In 1976 Bethea recorded 14-1/2 sacks, yet was not voted to the Pro Bowl. In a game against the San Diego Chargers in 1976, he recorded four sacks (his career high) and had one fumble recovery.

He also had 14-1/2 sacks in 1969. Other notable seasons in terms of sacks were: 1970 and 1971 with 10-1/2 sacks in each, 1975 with 10 and 1978 with 8. He played in the AFC Championship game in 1978 and 1979.

In 1975 Bethea was named All-pro by "College and Pro Football Newsweeky", the only time Bethea was a First-team All-Pro in his 16-year career. He was Second-team All-Pro in 1969, 1973, 1978 and 1979 to go with his 8 Pro Bowl selections.

He is also the author of "Smash-Mouth: My Football Journey from Trenton to Canton".

ee also

*Other American Football League players

References

External links

*"Pro Football Hall of Fame:" [http://www.profootballhof.com/hof/member.jsp?player_id=26 Member profile]