| Ellis Dillahunt | |
| Number: | 34, 29 |
| Position: | Safety |
| Birth Date: | 25 November 1964 |
| Birth Place: | New Bern, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Height Ft: | 5 |
| Height In: | 11 |
| Weight Lb: | 198 |
| College: | East Carolina (1984–1987) |
| Draftyear: | 1988 |
| Draftround: | 10 |
| Draftpick: | 253 |
| Pastteams: | |
| Highlights: |
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| Statlabel1: | Games played |
| Statvalue1: | 8 |
| Pfr: | DillEl20 |
Ellis Arto Dillahunt Jr. (born November 25, 1964) is an American former professional football safety. He played in the National Football League (NFL) for the Cincinnati Bengals in 1988. He was selected by the Bengals in the tenth round of the 1988 NFL draft.
Ellis Arto Dillahunt Jr. was born on November 25, 1964 in New Bern, North Carolina. He attended Jacksonville High School in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He was inducted into the Jacksonville Onslow Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.[1]
Dillahunt played college football for the East Carolina Pirates from 1984 to 1987 and was a four-year letterman. He made two interceptions in 1985, one interception in 1986, and five interceptions in 1987. He also returned one punt in 1985 for a seven-yard touchdown.[2] He was named first-team All-South independent in 1987.[3]
Dillahunt was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 10th round, with the 253rd overall pick, of the 1988 NFL draft.[4] He signed with the team on July 10. He played in eight games for the Bengals in 1988 before being placed on injured reserve on November 11, 1988.[4] Dillahunt mostly played special teams during his time with the Bengals and was listed as a safety.[5] He became a free agent after the season.
He signed with the Washington Redskins on March 20, 1989. He was waived on August 17, 1989.
Dillahunt was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Chiefs on August 18, 1989. He was waived on August 30, 1989.
He signed with the Cleveland Browns on March 26, 1990. He was released on August 27, 1990.[6]
Dillahunt played in four games, starting one, for the New York/New Jersey Knights of the World League of American Football in 1991, recording 11 tackles and one pass breakup.[7]