Buck Lansford Explained

Birth Date:4 November 1933
Birth Place:Catarina, Texas, U.S.
Position1:Offensive tackle
College:Texas
Nfldraftedyear:1955
Nfldraftedround:2
Nfldraftedpick:22
Playing Years1:1955–1957
Playing Team1:Philadelphia Eagles
Playing Years2:1958–1960
Playing Team2:Los Angeles Rams
Career Highlights:
Probowls:1
Nfl:LAN724511
Databasefootball:LANSFBUC01

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.

High school and college career

Lansford 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.[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.[8] [9]

Professional career

Lansford 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]

Notes and References

  1. News: 1951-10-12 . Yearlings Heavy At Tackle Posts . 39 . The Austin American . 2022-12-05 . Newspapers.com.
  2. News: 1951-09-23 . Yearling Grid Practices Start With 56 on Hand . 21 . . 2022-12-05 . Newspapers.com.
  3. News: 1951-11-23 . 20,000 To See Yearling-Aggie Tilt . 26 . . 2022-12-05.
  4. News: Larnce . Oscar . 1952-09-12 . Longhorns Look Like Good Bet In 1952 Grid Battle . 18 . Waco Tribune-Herald . Waco, Texas . 2022-12-06 . Newspapers.com.
  5. News: 1953-10-29 . 20 All-America Hopefuls from SWC Cited By Regional Board . 19 . Lubbock Morning Avalanche . Lubbock, Texas . 2022-12-06 . Newspapers.com.
  6. Web site: Football Award Winners . 2022-12-06 . NCAA . 9.
  7. News: 1954-09-10 . Texas Elects Lansford, Moon, Quinn Captains . 15 . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Fort Worth, Texas . 2022-12-06 . Newspapers.com.
  8. News: 1954-09-23 . Texans to Try Control Game Against Irish . 3 . Seminole Producer . Seminole, Oklahoma . 2022-12-06 . Newspapers.com.
  9. News: Fite . Ed . 1954-10-11 . Longhorns Differ As To Which Is Strongest Team, Sooners Or Irish . 10 . Brownwood Bulletin . Brownwood, Texas . 2022-12-06 . Newspapers.com.
  10. News: 1955-04-24 . Buck Lansford Signs with Philadelphia . 28 . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Fort Worth, Texas . 2022-12-06 . Newspapers.com.
  11. News: 1956-06-03 . Buck Lansford Signs Philadelphia Contract . 24 . Fort Worth Star-Telegram . Fort Worth, Texas . 2022-12-06 . Newspapers.com.
  12. Web site: Buck Lansford . 2022-12-05 . Pro Football Reference.
  13. News: 2003-10-24 . Eagles lose Mayberry for the season . 31 . The Morning Call . Allentown, Pennsylvania . 2022-12-06 . Newspapers.com.
  14. News: 1958-05-27 . Eagles Swap 2 Players, Draft Pick For Van Brocklin . 13 . The Lincoln Star . Lincoln, Nebraska . 2022-12-06 . Newspapers.com.
  15. News: 1961-08-15 . Buck Lansford Quits Ram Camp; Fine, Demotion May Be Reasons . 9 . Statesman Journal . Salem, Oregon . 2022-12-06 . Newspapers.com.
  16. News: 1961-08-15 . Rams' Buck Lansford Quits, 'Unhappy With Treatment' . 15 . Progress-Bulletin . Pomona, California . 2022-12-06 . Newspapers.com.
  17. News: 1963-08-22 . Rams Unworried About Sewell's Tonnage Lack . 37 . The Los Angeles Times . Los Angeles, California . 2022-12-06 . Newspapers.com.
  18. News: 1965-08-10 . Oilers Check It Against Buffalo . 7 . The Eagle . Bryan, Texas . 2022-12-06 . Newspapers.com.
  19. News: 1965-08-27 . Buck Lansford Quits Football . 11 . The Spokesman-Review . Spokane, Washington . 2022-12-06 . Newspapers.com.