Douglas Allan Kotar (June 11, 1951 – December 16, 1983) was an American professional football player who was a running back for the New York Giants of the National Football League (NFL).[1][2][3] He played college football for the Kentucky Wildcats.
| No. 44 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Running back | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | June 11, 1951 Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died | December 16, 1983 (aged 32) Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||||||||
| Listed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||
| Listed weight | 205 lb (93 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Canon-McMillan (PA) | ||||||||
| College | Kentucky | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 1974: undrafted | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
| |||||||||
Early years
editRaised in Muse, Pennsylvania, Kotar graduated from Canon-McMillan High School and played college football at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.[3]
Career
editUnselected in the 1974 NFL draft, Kotar was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Pittsburgh Steelers.[1] Four days later, they traded him to the New York Giants (for Leo Gasienica), where he played for eight years. Linebacker Harry Carson, a teammate for six seasons, once described him as "a fighter you'd like to have with you in a foxhole."[1]
Kotar rushed for 3,380 yards (while also gaining 1,022 yards receiving) in his career, which was the fourth most in Giants history at the time of his retirement. Kotar was known for leading with his head while rushing, a fact that would come back to haunt him in later life.[4] He retired after the first day of training camp in July 1982, citing knee and shoulder pain and family reasons.
NFL career statistics
edit| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Bold | Career high |
| Year | Team | Games | Rushing | Receiving | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Att | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
| 1974 | NYG | 12 | 7 | 106 | 396 | 3.7 | 53 | 4 | 10 | 57 | 5.7 | 18 | 0 |
| 1975 | NYG | 14 | 6 | 122 | 378 | 3.1 | 46 | 6 | 9 | 86 | 9.6 | 17 | 0 |
| 1976 | NYG | 14 | 14 | 185 | 731 | 4.0 | 24 | 3 | 36 | 319 | 8.9 | 30 | 0 |
| 1977 | NYG | 12 | 11 | 132 | 480 | 3.6 | 32 | 2 | 15 | 73 | 4.9 | 13 | 0 |
| 1978 | NYG | 15 | 5 | 149 | 625 | 4.2 | 46 | 1 | 22 | 225 | 10.2 | 31 | 1 |
| 1979 | NYG | 16 | 14 | 160 | 616 | 3.9 | 32 | 3 | 25 | 230 | 9.2 | 37 | 0 |
| 1981 | NYG | 7 | 5 | 46 | 154 | 3.3 | 18 | 1 | 9 | 32 | 3.6 | 11 | 0 |
| 90 | 62 | 900 | 3,380 | 3.8 | 53 | 20 | 126 | 1,022 | 8.1 | 37 | 1 | ||
Personal life
editDeath
editAfter experiencing major headaches post-retirement,[1] Kotar had a CT scan that revealed a brain tumor. He underwent invasive surgery that involved cutting into his skull, but the tumor was malignant and could not be removed. Kotar later suffered partial paralysis and was moved back to his hometown, where he received radiation treatment.
On December 16, 1983, Kotar died in his sleep at age 32.[6][7]
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 Litsky, Frank (December 17, 1983). "Kotar dies of tumor". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. (New York Times). p. 25.
- ↑ "Former Giant Doug Kotar loses battle with cancer". Reading Eagle. Pennsylvania. news services. December 17, 1983. p. 16.
- 1 2 3 "Gutty: Friends and teammates mourn Kotar". Pittsburgh Press. Associated Press. December 17, 1983. p. D1.
- ↑ "Doug Kotar Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com.
- ↑ Litsky, Frank (December 17, 1983). "Doug Kotar of Giants Dies; Ex Star of Backfield Was 32". The New York Times.
- ↑ "Keith Olbermann Reflects on the Life and Career of Doug Kotar - YouTube". YouTube.
- ↑ Wilhelm, Kathy (December 17, 1983). "Kotar was a fighter". The Day. New London, Connecticut. Associated Press. p. 19.
External links
edit- Career statistics from NFL.com · Pro Football Reference
- Sports Reference – college football – Doug Kotar
- Doug Kotar at Find a Grave