Cotton Davidson - The Rifleman of the AFL - Softcover

Corgill, Wayland; Davidson, Cotton

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0872440109 ISBN 13: 9780872440104

Publisher: Texian Press, 2022

Synopsis

Cotton Davidson, the Rifleman of the AFL is a heartfelt memoir of Francis Marion "Cotton" Davidson and the motivating story of his rise from simple beginnings in a small central Texas town to an accomplished professional football career. His athletic career began at Gatesville High School and led to a scholarship to play football at Baylor University. As quarterback, Davidson lettered for the Bears from 1951-53 earning the nickname "The Rifleman" for his bullet-like passing game. He caught the eye of pro recruiters and was the first round draft pick in 1954 for the Baltimore Colts. After being drafted and serving his country in the Army, Davidson returned to pro football where he enjoyed a lengthy career playing for the Dallas Texans (Now Kansas City Chiefs) and then the Oakland Raiders. Also an accomplished punter and placekicker, he was selected to play in the AFL all-star game in 1961 and 1963. Upon retirement from pro football, Davidson went on to become the Assistant Coach under Grant Teaff at his alma mater Baylor University.  During his 21-year career coaching quarterbacks for the Baylor Bears, they won two Southwest Conference Championships and played in 20 post season bowl games. Davidson has been inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame, the Southwest Conference Hall of Fame and in 2019, he lit the eternal flame for the last time at Oakland Coliseum before the first game as the Raiders kicked off their last season playing before their move to Las Vegas. While Davidson has received great recognition for his achievements on and off the field, his greatest accomplishment is the partnership he shares with his devoted wife of 60 years, Carolyn, his four children, twelve grandchildren and now many great grandchildren.

About this title

About the Authors

Wayland Corgill is an electrical engineer. He has a BS degree from Southern Methodist University. He engaged in engineering and engineering management throughout his professional career. A large part of that work involved writing technical specifications for equipment and construction projects. After retirement, writing about other subjects proved to be a satisfying hobby. One book recently published is about life on a small West Texas sharecropper cotton farm. Three more books about experiences in Saudi Arabia are near completion. His wife, Carole, has a journalism degree from The University of Texas and that is unquestionably fortunate for Wayland.

Cotton was born in the 1930s on a cattle and goat ranch in Coryell County, Texas during a time of progressive, dramatic changes in social and economic conditions throughout the nation. Enrolling at Baylor University was the first big step in a lifetime dedicated to the football profession. Ascending to the starting quarterback position on the Baylor football team opened the door as a first-round draft pick by the Baltimore Colts in the National Football League brought another world full of change and challenges. The succeeding years of competing with many of the greatest athletes in the NFL and AFL provided more priceless experiences. The time finally came for him to consider coaching rather than playing. Baylor was the next stop on his journey and was welcomed there and spent the next twenty-one years coaching quarterbacks and receivers. He now lives among the wonderful people where his roots are, Gatesville, Texas, in Coryell County.

Edition details

• Publisher: Texian Press
• Publication date: 2022
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0872440109
• ISBN 13: 9780872440104
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 240