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"It really did.". Contact . Something else special happened that week, too. "His jersey would just be hanging on him," Woodlawn teammate Brad Hendrix says. We have estimated But there was one catch. "All I had ever seen of football games was everybody falling on each other and piling on each other," she says. "Somewhere, there is a videotape of that game," Grefseng says. During preseason camp, evangelist Wales Goebel, who became a born-again Christian after alcohol destroyed his small-college basketball career and nearly cost him his life, came to share his story with the Woodlawn players. I think Tony could definitely play today. (Sugar Jets was a reference to a brand of cereal from the 1950s and '60s.). When the Cardinals hired a new offensive coordinator at the end of that season, Rutledge and most of the offensive staff were fired. After Nathan got out of coaching, another one of his former Dolphins teammates, guard Ed Newman, told him he had the perfect job for him. They got at least part of that right. "And when they were picking teams, I wanted to get picked. No One Else Wanted Him. Now he is not sure what he is. "Some do come in with attitudes, and you just have to diffuse them before they go in front of the judge. He has established himself as a trusted advisor providing advice and direction to organizations in some of the most heavily regulated . "I think (defensive lineman) Marty Lyons could play today. printers and related vendors. What is Jeff Rutledge's full name? Denny Ragland, who would become the Woodlawn starting quarterback during Nathan's senior season in 1974, knew something was up during freshman football practice, when most of the basketball team came out just to see what the 14-year-old Nathan could do on the football field. "It's been home a long time," Nathan says. His most notable play with the Giants came in Super Bowl XXI in the third quarter. At the age of 32, starting his 11th season as a National Football League quarterback, Rutledge was not sure he would make the Giants. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. "But this particular year, we were both undefeated going in. Almost assuredly, Nathan would not be the featured character in the upcoming movie "Woodlawn," which opens nationwide on Oct. 16, and most definitely, he would not have written a book, "Touchdown Tony: Running With a Purpose," which comes out Tuesday. Charles Tillman Rutledge, Jr. Boiling Springs, SC Charles Tillman Rutledge, Jr., 80, of 2558 Old Furnace Road, passed away Thursday, June 20, 2019, at Spartanburg Hospital For Restorative Care . "I was running down the baseline trying to follow my guy around, and, all of a sudden, they set a pick and this guy's elbow hit me in the eye and that cured my basketball desire," Nathan says. In his teens, he acted in productions of the North Shore Children's Theater and, from 1942 to 1944, performed in . I remember it was good we didn't start when we were supposed to because they were at their peak. When he retired from football, Nathan also got into coaching - first with the Dolphins and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then at Florida International University. Jeff Rutledge Wiki: Salary, Married, Wedding, Spouse, Family Jeffrey Ronald Rutledge (born January 22, 1957) is an American football coach and former professional quarterback. He resigned in the Spring of 2012 to return to Arizona to spend time with his family. Trailing 35-14 with 10:37 left in the third quarter Rutledge replaced an ineffective Stan Humphries and led a great comeback. "In high school, he was the best quarterback in the state of Alabama, and Coach Bryant did his job and the recruiters did their jobs to get him to go to Alabama," Nathan says. Along the sidelines, one of the best coaches in Alabama high school football history would notch his 100th victory, but he would never win another. Jeffrey Ronald Rutledge (born January 22, 1957) is a former American football quarterback and coach who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. 66. Rutledge earned MVP honors at the 1978 Sugar Bowl and also earned All-SEC honors in 1978 and 1979. He had 274 completions in 526 attempts for 3,628 yards and 16 touchdowns. Tony started playing pickup basketball games with some older boys in the neighborhood, and he was good enough that he was recruited to play in a rec league at Huffman Park. He received his degree from Alabama in Business Administration and in 2011, was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. In the spring of 2007 Rutledge got his first NFL coaching job when he was hired as quarterbacks coach with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, with direct charge over Kurt Warner. Jeffrey Ronald Rutledge (born January 22, 1957) is an American football coach and former professional quarterback. The night before the game, Stearns says, members of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapters from both teams gathered for a joint meeting at Woodlawn. DeOssie, who has been starting at inside linebacker, strained his back lifting weights. "I said, 'If we win (the next game) and they win, we are both going to be undefeated when we play each other, and it's going to be the biggest high school crowd there ever will be,'" White recalls. UNEASY LIES THE HEAD OF NO. "I wanted to go home. "Before Bo, there was Tony," Ragland says. "Including his wife. In April 2010, Rutledge agreed to become the head football coach at Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee; where he coached for two seasons, leading the Knights to a 4-18 record. He is now a bailiff for Miami-Dade County Court Judge Edward Newman, a former Dolphins teammate. Discover today's celebrity birthdays and explore famous people who share your birthday. Six years later, he led the Tigers to an undefeated 15-0 season and a 4A state championship. After Thursday morning's practice, the Giants will leave for their annual welcome-home lunch at the Sheraton Centre. The other day, Rutledge called his wife and told her to wait. Rutledge served as the quarterbacks and tight ends coach for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League in 2009. At 65 years old, Jeff Rutledge height not available right now. The next year, they got Bert Jones. [4], Rutledge is a Christian and attends Arizona Community Church in Chandler. I don't know exactly when, but I'll do it.'". Jeff Rutledge's net worth ''You gear up for a time when you're going to get together as a family. "The Woodlawn guys were like maniacs, and they were roaring all through their pre-game warm-ups. Newton stood behind Nathan as he sat next to his parents and got his picture taken signing his letter of intent. ''My first year in the league, with the Rams, it was hairy because they had so many quarterbacks in camp. 1-ranked Huffman Vikings -- Woodlawn fans started calling Nathan "Touchdown Tony" and began clamoring for pictures and autographs. With the arrival of head coach Tandy Gerelds in 1971, though, and the emergence of Nathan, who had a breakout junior season in 1973, Woodlawn started to level the playing field. Some of those who were in the stands that night can't say for sure who won, and even many of those who were on the fieldare hard-pressed to remember the final score. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. He completed 30 of 42 passes for 363 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 12 yards for the game-tying touchdown with only 24 seconds remaining. Trailing 35-14 with 10:37 left in the third quarter Rutledge replaced an ineffective Stan Humphries and led a great comeback. (Photo courtesy of Tony Nathan). They've been married for going on 37 years now, with three children and nine grandkids. That game meant that Rutledge got the nod to start the following week on Monday Night against the Philadelphia Eagles in a game that was to become infamously known as the "Body Bag Game". . Jeff Rutledge Jeffrey Ronald Rutledge Position: QB Throws: Right 6-1 , 195lb (185cm, 88kg) Born: January 22 in Birmingham, AL (Age: 66-029d) More bio, uniform, draft, salary info 2x SB Champ 8 17 10 SUMMARY Career G 117 AV 8 QBrec 2-7-1 Cmp% 52.1 Yds 3628 Y/A 6.9 TD 16 Int 29 FantPt 151.0 Jeff Rutledge Overview Game Logs Career Postseason 1979 1980 All three of Nathan's daughters have their college degrees - Nichole from South Florida and Natalie and Nadia from Alabama - as does his wife. Although it was just one moment in time, all of their names -- as well as those of Greg Muse, Jerry Murphree, Bob Grefseng, Denny Ragland, Brad Hendrix, Jerry Stearns and many others -- will always be linked to that November night in Legion Field 40 years ago. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. "We were out there playing in the mud and the rain," Woodlawn's Ragland says. The two schools were just 10 minutes and less than four miles apart. The regular season game was played in . In the days leading up to the game, both The Birmingham News and the Birmingham Post-Herald played it up as not only a clash of the titans between Banks and Woodlawn but also a Rutledge vs. Nathan showdown. This Korean War-era Sabre jet, which was loaned to Banks High School in 1961, was repainted in school colors and prominently displayed on campus. By his senior season in 1974, Woodlawn running back Tony Nathan was one of the most sought-after high school football players in America. Nathan, who wore number 22, went through as many as a dozen jerseys in some games. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. So it was almost like it was the state championship game that night.". That iconic Banks jet was turned over to the Southern Museum of Flight, where it has been restored to its Korean War glory days. They attended some of the same churches and dated some of the same girls. The following Friday night, Woodlawn closed out its season on a cold, rainy night at Fair Park, defeating Carver 12-0. He was worn out, and he was just tearing the rest of his jersey off.". At the age of 32, starting his 11th season as a National Football League quarterback, Rutledge was not sure he would make the. View Jeff Rutledge results in Munford, AL including current phone number, address, relatives, background check report, and property record with Whitepages. "Each gate had four openings in it for four lines of people," Garrett says, "but it still obviously wasn't enough.". In April 2010, Rutledge agreed to become the head football coach at Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee; where he coached for two seasons, leading the Knights to a 4-18 record. Tandy Gerelds left Woodlawn after the 1975 season to join his father in the family insurance business, but in 1984, he returned to coaching at Deshler High School in Tuscumbia. Bryant sealed the deal by promising Tony he would get a shot at playing basketball at Alabama, too. "Some of the other running backs didn't want to be that lead blocker. Stearns recalls. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Rutledge would never start an NFL game again but he did see spot duty in relief of returning starter Mark Rypien in the Redskins' 1991 Super Bowl Championship season, including some playing time in the last game of the regular season, again against the Philadelphia Eagles. The four of them -- Baumhower, Nathan, Stephenson and McNeal -- played in two Super Bowls together, but the Dolphins lost both games, to the Redskins in Super Bowl XVII and the 49ers in Super Bowl XIX. He finished his college career with a 33-5 record as a starter, which currently ranks him as the University of Alabama's seventh all-time winningest quarterback. Wasn't it 14-0? Everybody else was gone home for Christmas vacation, and I was like, 'What am I doing here?' "We would go to the board of education and get tickets and we would be sold out in 30 minutes to an hour," Stearns says. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Nathan scored Woodlawn's only touchdown on a 13-yard run in the fourth quarter. Rutledge was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama. "Everywhere Tony lined up, there was Greg," Rutledge remembers. According to our Database, He has no children. 1957 "This was before Bo Jackson," Ragland, the Woodlawn quarterback, says. That University of Alabama sorority girl who was in the stands at Legion Field that night? His brother Gary Rutledge was also a quarterback at Alabama from 1972 to 1974. "When people say Tony Nathan, their ears go up. Jeff Rutledge was born on 22 January, 1957 in Birmingham, Alabama, United States, is an American football coach and former quarterback. The quiet Nathan, who teammates say tried to shy away from all of the attention, was one of Birmingham's first superstar black athletes in a city that was still adjusting to integration. That year, the Cardinals made a late season run and earned a Super Bowl berth, but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-23. He is currently single. "I've never known a Nathan to quit anything," she said. Quarterback Jeff Rutledge played 13 seasons for 3 teams. The game, though, was way bigger than its two stars, a pair of Parade All-Americans who were among the most sought-after high school recruits in the country. (Photo courtesy of Tony Nathan). His finest moment as a professional player came when as a member of the Redskins he came off the bench in a game versus the Detroit Lions in 1990. His two older sisters went to Banks, but after the Birmingham schools were desegregated, he was zoned for Woodlawn. From his perch in the press box, Birmingham News sportswriter Wayne Martin could see the pedestrian bottleneck at the south entrance of Legion Field, as well as an unbroken strand of headlights from the long line of cars on Graymont Avenue, which was backed up all the way to downtown. All rights reserved (About Us). in Plant Science from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro and a Masters in Agronomy (Weed Science) from the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. But he made a great play and I just kept running, and he threw it and I caught it.". In the 1980s, Banks High School -- home of those mighty Jets for all those years -- was closed as part of a city schools reorganization and it became Banks Middle School. I knew it even before that, when Plan B came along.'' From Woodlawn, linebacker Rocha McKinstry signed with Auburn, and Hendrix, the defensive end, played with the University of North Alabama and later, the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers. He was a backup in Super Bowl XIV as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, he was a backup to Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms in Super Bowl XXI as a member of the New York Giants, and was a backup in Super Bowl XXVI as a member of the Washington Redskins. I did believe. If all of the gates had been open, they would have had 60,000 people.". It wasn't so much the football I wanted. Jeffrey Brooks Rutledge, Meg Rutledge, Christen Rutledge. After completing the eighth grade, those students who would have gone to Banks instead went to Woodlawn High School, Banks' old rival. "We were down 24-zip and nothing was going right, and that was the play that gave us the spark to come back. Birmingham, Alabama. "It was time for people to actually get along -- no matter what race or color you were," he says. As that 1974 season progressed and both teams kept winning week after week, that friendly rivalry between Banks and Woodlawn reached a new level, though. Banks High School - named for school superintendent L. Frazier Banks - opened in 1957 in Birmingham's South East Lake neighborhood and fielded its first football team three years later. 195 lbs (88.5 kg) "To be a 16-, 17-year-old kid, I had never seen anybody run and do the things Tony did athletically. It all built up to Nov. 8, 1974, when Woodlawn, which had won 11 games in a row, met its old nemesis Banks, which was riding a 34-game unbeaten streak, at Legion Field. On signing day, both Bryant and Alabama basketball coach C.M. "I told him, me being so far behind, I didn't want to flunk out. Fast learner, critical thinker with an eye for efficiency, and generally fun guy. "'And you told me you didn't want me to play this game. How tall is Jeff Rutledge? Jeff Rutledges income source is mostly from being a successful Player. And Then There Were Three. I knew when I came to training camp that it would be tough. I bought them last week. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 63 years old? Tony Nathan will sign copies of his new book, "Touchdown Tony: Running With a Purpose," at 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, at the Alabama Booksmith, 2626 19th Place South, Homewood. Jeffrey Ronald Rutledge (born January 22, 1957) is an American football coach and former professional quarterback. A backup for most of his career, he was a member of the New York Giants team that won a Super Bowl in Super Bowl XXI and the Washington Redskins team that won Super Bowl XXVI. Bill Battle, the young coach at Tennessee, wanted Nathan to come play for him in Knoxville, and Vols star quarterback Condredge Holloway showed him around on his official visit. White says he was assured by the Legion Field crew that it would be able to handle the crowd. His wife, Laura, a former Miss . There was no mortgage. After Friday morning's practice, they will break camp and return to Giants Stadium, where practices are closed to the public. Jeff Rutledge, Nathan's old rival from Banks, was now his teammate, quarterbacking the Tide. He was a devoted husband and father and his favorite hobby was fishing. He was just a humble high school athlete. They got in the car, and she drove him back to the football field, where she told Woodlawn coach Tandy Gerelds to do whatever he needed to discipline her boy for skipping practice, just as long as he was allowed back on the team. "So it was a great lesson for me. Woodlawn High School had a much longer history that went back to 1916, when the community of Woodlawn was annexed into Birmingham. Sports Illustrated featured him in its "Faces in the Crowd" section after he ran for 228 yards and scored seven touchdowns against Ramsay, and late in the season, along with Banks quarterback Jeff Rutledge, he was named a Parade All-American. "It was weird," he says. Their two-year reign as 4A state champs also ended with a 12-0 shutout loss to eventual champion Homewood in the first round of the playoffs. "It was an amazing thing to see all of those kids -- who grew up together and went to church together, played at Wahouma Park together - in that room together that night," Stearns says. See the article in its original context from. He had to meet with Coach Bryant to get him to sign off on it, too. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Another one of football's coaching greats, Don Shula of the Miami Dolphins, drafted Nathan in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft, and even though it was a long way from Birmingham or Tuscaloosa, Miami was like a home away from home for Nathan. And I don't know when that will be.'' When the other team did not pick up on Rutledge, he took the snap and did a sneak up the middle for yardage that gave the Giants a first down that would eventually lead to a go-ahead score. Out on the field, one of the players, a linebacker who also filled in as back-up tight end, caught the only touchdown pass of his high-school career, in what was by far the biggest game of his career. I still get chills thinking about it.". Not once, but twice, both teams were sent back to their respective locker rooms to allow the crowd to file into the stadium. Jeffrey Ronald Rutledge (born January 22, 1957) is a former American football quarterback and coach who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. I was so elated that he did it, and I thank the Lord that he did.". On one particular visit, Bryant brought his overnight bag, Tony's father remembers. Jeff Rutledge Biography. That same night, Banks' 35-game unbeaten streak came to an abrupt end when Rutledge blew out an ankle and the banged-up Jets lost 34-27 to West End. His parents met at the University of Arkansas, and when he was almost four his family moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I said, 'You have to wait until you see me.' Jeff Rutledge, who played at Alabama after he graduated from Bank High School, is pictured here during the 1976 Alabama-Notre Dame game in South Bend, Ind. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. Place kicker Ali Haji-Sheikh of the New York Giants kicks a field goal during a game against the New Orleans Saints at Giants Stadium on December 15,. Most likely, Tony would not have been drafted by the NFL's Miami Dolphins, and regrettably, he also would have missed out on starting in two Super Bowls, as well as being part of one of the most famous plays in Dolphins' history. Rutledge lived up to his star billing that night, completing 9 of 10 passes for 188 yards and that touchdown to Grefseng. As a senior, he was a member of the 1974 Parade High School All-American team. He is currently the head football coach at Valley Christian High School (Chandler, Arizona) in Chandler, Arizona. He finished his college career with a 33-5 record as a starter, which currently ranks him as the University of Alabama's seventh all-time winningest quarterback. In April 2010, Rutledge agreed to become the head football coach at Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, Tennessee; where he coached for two seasons, leading the Knights to a 4-18 record. A three-year starter, he also led Alabama to the #2 National ranking in 1977. "I didn't have to worry about cutting grass because they played all the time.". Based in Dallas, Texas with over 20 years of experience in concept, design, art direction, and production of print and web materials including: magazine / newspaper ads, brochures, collateral, direct mail, email graphics, logos, signage, and web graphics. He is not dating anyone. An experienced communications and public affairs professional, with a record of effective strategic planning, outreach and engagement. On October 2, 2019, his wife gave birth to a daughter. A three-year starter, he also led Alabama to the #2 National ranking in 1977. William Nathan was sold, though, and eventually, so was his son Tony. . (Birmingham News file/Robert Adams). he recalls. And while most college players today are bigger, faster and stronger now than they were during Nathan's college days, Legg has no doubt that, had Nathan come along four decades later, Nick Saban would find a place for him with Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake in the Crimson Tide's current running back rotation. of development through completion. But Norman, Okla., was cold and rainy when Nathan went to visit, and besides that, Switzer never bothered to come visit Nathan and his parents in Birmingham. Manage Settings "They had the best running back in the state and we had the best quarterback," former Banks head coach George "Shorty" White remembers. My parents raised me that way. I can tell you, Tony had no trouble with his blocking.". He completed 30 of 42 p*es for 363 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 12 yards for the game-tying touchdown with only 24 seconds remaining. Horgan III, Jeff Hart, Jim Rutledge of Canada, Gary Hallberg and Jeff Freeman pose together with their Qualifying cards during the Champions Tour. Roberts, the starting left guard, has a slightly sprained left knee, which was reported improved. . "We dedicated our season to the glory of the Lord, and we played at a much higher level those two years (1973-74) than we probably should have. Nathan is flanked by his parents William and Louise Nathan. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. [3][6], Rutledge served as the quarterbacks and tight ends coach for the New York Sentinels of the United Football League in 2009.[3]. Now he is here and his family is there, and no one is happy. After seven seasons at Vanderbilt, Rutledge became the head coach at Montgomery Bell Academy, a school for seventh to 12th grade boys in Nashville. "It was one heck of a game. He also led the Crimson Tide to two Sugar Bowl appearances and two SEC Championships. His finest moment as a professional player came when as a member of the Redskins he came off the bench in a game versus the Detroit Lions in 1990. He was the starting quarterback on the 1978 National Championship team. Jeff Rutledge, who played at Alabama after he graduated from Bank High School, is pictured here during the 1976 Alabama-Notre Dame game in South Bend, Ind. "I knew some of those guys, and I'm like, 'Why would y'all be out here in the hot sun watching freshman football?'" Rutledge, first, and then Stan Humphries were knocked out of the game, leaving emergency quarterback Brian Mitchell (a kick returner and former college quarterback) to finish the game. As a senior, he was a member of the 1974 Parade High School All-American team. Gerelds, recognizing Nathan's underutilized potential, thought he needed to have the ball in his hands more often and moved him to offense his junior year.Before the start of that 1973 season, something else happened that changed the Woodlawn football team's fortunes. "We had a ball. So you go all out and do what you can do just to fit in.". , money, salary, income, and assets. The unsung hero, though, was a little linebacker named Greg Muse, who had transferred to Banksafter living in Texas. Rutledge played collegiately at Alabama, where he was a member of three SEC Championship teams under Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. Louise Nathan, though, never was wild about her seeing her son get hit. By Friday, the excitement was at full-tilt boogie. (Birmingham News file/Charles Nesbitt). ", Tony Nathan is joined by his wife, Johnnie, and his daughters Nichole, Natalie and Nadia at his induction into the Miami Dolphins Walk of Fame in 2014. Tony Nathan, left, and Jeff Rutledge talk following the 1974 Banks-Woodlawn game at Legion Field in Birmingham. ''Maybe it will make them think a bit or at least make their decision tough. When it came time to pick a college, Nathan considered going to Oklahoma, where renegade coach Barry Switzer was lighting up the scoreboard with a high-powered wishbone offense that was the talk of college football. fdar charting for blood transfusion $ 0.00 Cart. Former Realtor at ReallivingAdavanceRealty. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). Drafted in the ninth round of the 1979 NFL Draft (246th overall pick) by the Los Angeles Rams,[2] Rutledge played in 14 NFL seasons[3][5] from 1979 to 1992 for three different teams. Menu Log In Sign Up (Birmingham News file) In the 1980s,. "Before I signed to go to Alabama, Coach Bryant told me, 'Well, look, you can try out (for basketball), but if you're not within the top six, you've got to come back out for spring ball.'''. We just couldn't put the icing on the cake.". (Birmingham News file). He resigned in the Spring of 2012 to return to Arizona to spend time with his family. It was Geralds, Nathan would say later, who talked him out of quitting football, and for that, Nathan remained forever grateful. They made great souvenirs, too, and fans mobbed him after the games to get a piece of Nathan's jersey. (Birmingham News file/Charles Nesbitt). That year, the Cardinals made a late season run and earned a Super Bowl berth, but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-23. "That's why, for two years, we had a lot of focus and attention on Woodlawn. About Jeff Rutledge is a 66 year old American Football (American) Player born on 22nd January, 1957 in Birmingham, AL. Or was it 17-7? They know they're going to get presents when they see me. Wore number 17 for the New York Giants. 6'1", 195 lbs. The kids are disappointed. Trivia (4) Quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams (1979-1981), New York Giants (1983-1989) and Washington Redskins (1990-1992). "I just felt like I was the oldest cat in the house," he says. Nathan played his entire NFL career with the Dolphins - retiring in 1987 after nine seasons in the aqua and orange - and he has continued to make Miami his home, even when NFL assistant coaching jobs took him to Tampa Bay, Baltimore and San Francisco. "There are people who went to that game that I've heard from all my life," Rutledge says. ', "I said, 'I will do that. He said, 'Well, make sure you promise me you're going to finish what you started. ''I talked to Bill after practice Saturday,'' said Rutledge. William Nathan, who worked as millwright at Connors Steel in Birmingham, made his son Tony his first football by stitching together a strip of Naugahyde and stuffing it with rags and cotton balls. His brother Gary Rutledge was also a quarterback at Alabama from 1972 to 1974. Last year, Nathan was inducted into the Dolphins' Walk of Fame, immortalized alongside such legendary Dolphins as Dan Marino, Bob Griese, Paul Warfield, Larry Csonka and Nick Buoniconti in the sidewalk outside Miami's Sun Life Stadium. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. The next year, Nathan and Rutledge became teammates at the University of Alabama. Rutledge played collegiately at Alabama, where he was a member of three SEC Championship teams under Coach Paul "Bear" Bryant. . "And then they told me that that guy (Nathan) was an All-American basketball player, and he wasn't going to be playing football. Finished career at Alabama has the school's leading passer, surpassing Joe Namath. I do believe. Senior Consultant. Welcome. "It was odd to see people react and want a piece of cloth off of somebody else who was wearing it. If all that notoriety affected Nathan, none of his teammates could tell. The quiet, introverted Nathan didn't know quite what to make of all that attention. "You wouldn't have known him to be any different from any of the other players on the team," Hendrix, who went on to play briefly with the NFL's Dallas Cowboys and San Diego Chargers, says.