Don Orr Explained

Don Orr should not be confused with Donald Orr.

Don Orr
Currentnumber:10
Pastschools:Vanderbilt (1955)
School:Vanderbilt Commodores
Class:Graduate
Currentposition:Quarterback
Highlights:
  • Vanderbilt's first bowl victory
Bowlgames:

Donald C. Orr was an American football player and official.[1] He was born in Miami, Florida.[2]

Vanderbilt University

Orr was a prominent quarterback for the Vanderbilt Commodores football teams of Vanderbilt University.[1]

1955

See main article: 1955 Vanderbilt Commodores football team. Orr led Vanderbilt to its first bowl victory by defeating Auburn 25 to 13 in the 1955 Gator Bowl. He was selected Vanderbilt's MVP of the game, and received a standing ovation upon getting the award.[3] Vandy's first two scores were a pass Orr to Joe Stephenson and a run by Orr respectively.[4]

NFL draft

He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in 26th round of the 1956 NFL draft; but he never talked to the team.[1]

Official

Orr was a prominent National Football League (NFL) official for 25 seasons, from 1971 through 1995,[5] and a field judge in three Super Bowls.[1] He wore uniform number 77 for the majority of his NFL career. As a side judge in the 1979 AFC Championship Game between the Houston Oilers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Orr made a controversial incomplete pass call denying Oilers receiver Mike Renfro an apparent game-tying touchdown late in the third quarter.[6] The Oilers subsequently settled for a field goal and went on to lose 27–13.[6] The controversy prompted calls for the NFL to institute replay review.[7]

Contracting

Though officially retired in 2006, Orr is chairman of the board of Nashville Machine Co., a mechanical contracting company.[8]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Traughber . Bill . 2011-11-09 . Don Orr: Vandy QB to NFL official . 2024-02-17 . Vanderbilt University Athletics . en-US.
  2. Web site: Don Orr: Vandy QB to NFL official . Vanderbilt University Commodores . 28 February 2023.
  3. Web site: Bowl/All-Star Game Records: Most Valuable Players in Former Major Bowls . National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) . 2011 NCAA Division I Football Records . 96 . NCAA.org . October 3, 2011 .
  4. Web site: December 31st, 1955.
  5. Book: Vanderbilt Football:Tales Of Commodore Gridiron History. 128. Bill Traughber. 9781609494230. 2011.
  6. News: Grimsley. Will. The Daily Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. January 8, 1980. 11. NFL backing official. Associated Press.
  7. News: Wolf. Mark. The Charlotte Observer. January 11, 1980. 3B. An NFL Coverup on Renfro Call? Refs' Mistakes Part of Game.
  8. Web site: Where Are They Now?.