Greg Sampson

Infobox NFL player


ImageWidth = 150px
Name=Greg Sampson
DateOfBirth=birth date and age|1950|10|25
Birthplace=flagicon|USA Bellingham, Washington
DateofDeath=
Position=Offensive Tackle
number=91, 73
College=Stanford
DraftedYear=1972
DraftedRound=1 / Pick 6
DatabaseFootball=SAMPSGRE01
years=1972–1979
teams=Houston Oilers
HOF=

Ralph Gregory Sampson (born October 25 1950 in Bellingham, Washington) is a former professional American football player.

College and professional career

Sampson graduated from Stanford University in 1972, where he starred as a defensive end, playing on two Rose Bowl winning teams (1971, 1972). At Stanford, he played on the notorious defensive line, famously dubbed "The Thunder Chickens." Sampson was also a member of the Delta Tau Delta fraternity at Stanford.

Greg grew up in Long Beach, California and graduated from Millikan High School in 1968 where he first joined the football team his junior year as the kicker. He quickly learned the game and joined the defensive line, where he caught the eye of UCLA and Stanford recruiters.

In 1972, he was drafted in the first round by the Houston Oilers and made the switch to offensive line. At 6-6 and 280 pounds, Sampson's rare mix of size, power and speed (4.75 40-yd dash) made him a sizeable opponent for defensive ends like Fred Dryer and Ed "Too Tall" Jones. Sampson anchored a line which, including Conway Hayman and Carl Mauck, paved the way for Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell.Fact|date=February 2008 Sampson retired after the 1979 season.

In 1991, fans voted Sampson onto the Houston Oilers All-Time Dream Team, along with other Oiler greats Warren Moon, Elvin Bethea, Gregg Bingham, Billy "White Shoes" Johnson and Earl Campbell.Fact|date=February 2008

Personal life

In 1975, Sampson married Trinity, Texas, native Kathy Price. They have three children: Erik, who played baseball at Azusa Pacific University, Jenna, who played softball at Azusa Pacific University, and Cole, who played football at Lafayette College and baseball at California Lutheran University.