Alex John "Buck" Lansford (born November 4, 1933) is an American former football player who was an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Los Angeles Rams. He was named to the Pro Bowl once. Lansford played college football for the Texas Longhorns and was selected in the second round of the 1955 NFL draft.
 Lansford on a 1955 Bowman football card | |
| Date of birth | November 4, 1933 |
|---|---|
| Place of birth | Catarina, Texas, U.S. |
| Career information | |
| Position(s) | Offensive tackle |
| US college | Texas |
| NFL draft | 1955 / round: 2 / pick: 22 |
| Career history | |
| As player | |
| 1955–1957 | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 1958–1960 | Los Angeles Rams |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| Pro Bowls | 1 |
| Career stats | |
| |
High school and college career
editLansford played high school football at Carrizo Springs High School.[1] After graduating, he attended the University of Texas at Austin and played as a tackle for them starting in 1951.[2] His older brother, James "Longhorn Jim" Lansford, also played for the University of Texas.[1][3] In 1952, Lansford played in the left tackle position.[4] In 1953 he was nominated for the College Football All-America Team but was not ultimately selected.[5][6] Lansford was made one of three team captains for the Texas Longhorns in 1954.[7] That year, he was described as the "leed Steer" of Texas' offense and was again unsuccessfully nominated for the All-America team.[6][8][9]
Professional career
editLansford was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 1955 NFL draft.[10] He re-signed with the Eagles in 1956.[11] That same year, he was selected to the 1956 Pro Bowl.[12] In 1957 he was named an All-Pro player. The Eagles would not have another All-Pro offensive lineman until Jermane Mayberry in 2002.[13] In 1958 Lansford and Jimmy Harris were traded to the Los Angeles Rams in exchange for quarterback Norm Van Brocklin.[14] Lansford was made a captain on the Rams and played for the team through the 1960 season but quit the team partway through training camp in 1961 after a dispute over being made backup.[15] As he was still under contract with the Rams, they attempted to arrange for him to be traded to the Dallas Cowboys but no deal was ultimately made.[16][17] After three years absence from professional football, Lansford was signed to the Houston Oilers in August 1965.[18] At the end of the month, Lansford announced his intention to formally retire and returned home to Lampasas, Texas.[19]
References
edit- ^ a b "Yearlings Heavy At Tackle Posts". The Austin American. October 12, 1951. p. 39. Retrieved December 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Yearling Grid Practices Start With 56 on Hand". The Austin American. September 23, 1951. p. 21. Retrieved December 5, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "20,000 To See Yearling-Aggie Tilt". Austin American-Statesman. November 23, 1951. p. 26. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ Larnce, Oscar (September 12, 1952). "Longhorns Look Like Good Bet In 1952 Grid Battle". Waco Tribune-Herald. Waco, Texas. p. 18. Retrieved December 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "20 All-America Hopefuls from SWC Cited By Regional Board". Lubbock Morning Avalanche. Lubbock, Texas. October 29, 1953. p. 19. Retrieved December 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ a b "Football Award Winners" (PDF). NCAA. p. 9. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ "Texas Elects Lansford, Moon, Quinn Captains". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. September 10, 1954. p. 15. Retrieved December 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Texans to Try Control Game Against Irish". Seminole Producer. Seminole, Oklahoma. September 23, 1954. p. 3. Retrieved December 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ Fite, Ed (October 11, 1954). "Longhorns Differ As To Which Is Strongest Team, Sooners Or Irish". Brownwood Bulletin. Brownwood, Texas. p. 10. Retrieved December 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Buck Lansford Signs with Philadelphia". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. April 24, 1955. p. 28. Retrieved December 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Buck Lansford Signs Philadelphia Contract". Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Fort Worth, Texas. June 3, 1956. p. 24. Retrieved December 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Buck Lansford". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ "Eagles lose Mayberry for the season". The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. October 24, 2003. p. 31. Retrieved December 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Eagles Swap 2 Players, Draft Pick For Van Brocklin". The Lincoln Star. Lincoln, Nebraska. May 27, 1958. p. 13. Retrieved December 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Buck Lansford Quits Ram Camp; Fine, Demotion May Be Reasons". Statesman Journal. Salem, Oregon. August 15, 1961. p. 9. Retrieved December 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Rams' Buck Lansford Quits, 'Unhappy With Treatment'". Progress-Bulletin. Pomona, California. August 15, 1961. p. 15. Retrieved December 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Rams Unworried About Sewell's Tonnage Lack". The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. August 22, 1963. p. 37. Retrieved December 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Oilers Check It Against Buffalo". The Eagle. Bryan, Texas. August 10, 1965. p. 7. Retrieved December 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Buck Lansford Quits Football". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. August 27, 1965. p. 11. Retrieved December 6, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.