Terry Tautolo
| No. 58, 50, 52, 55 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | August 30, 1954 Corona, California, U.S. | ||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | ||||||||
| Weight: | 232 lb (105 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school: | Millikan (Long Beach, California) | ||||||||
| College: | UCLA | ||||||||
| NFL draft: | 1976 / round: 13 / pick: 353 | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Career highlights and awards | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
| |||||||||
Terry Lynn Tautolo (born August 30, 1954) is a former American football linebacker who played nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins.[1] He played college football at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and was drafted in the 13th round of the 1976 NFL draft.
On December 16, 2013, GQ.com's internet show "Casualties of the Gridiron" reported that Tautolo was homeless and involved in substance abuse.[2] Tautolo's former teammates learned of his dire situation and put out a call for help. With the help of his former UCLA teammate Brent Boyd and head coach Dick Vermeil and the NFLPA, he turned his life around and currently works with special needs children.[3]
Career
[edit]Tautolo began playing flag football in elementary school, where he learned important skills such as twisting and turning to avoid tackles. His interest in sports continued into his high school years, where he played American football for the Long Beach City Junior High team, the Cecil De Mille Knights, and was a standout as a halfback. In high school, he excelled in both offensive and defensive football, and his physical ability was a key asset, though he struggled with his weight. He was advised to pursue wrestling, and by 1972, he took first place in his division at a state championship. Tautolo's athletic achievements led to him being offered a scholarship to the University of Oregon, although he chose to attend Long Beach City College instead.[4]
In 1974, Tautolo was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles but went on to play for several professional teams over the next nine years, including the Chicago Bears, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions, and Miami Dolphins. He eventually retired from professional football in 1985 due to his decision to pursue other interests. Following his retirement from professional football, Tautolo focused on innovation, designing a Lazy Rider Reclining Infant Carrier. This invention was born out of a personal experience when he was trying to design a more comfortable bike seat for his daughter, Tasi. After several iterations, Tautolo patented the device.[5]
Personal life
[edit]Tautolo is the older brother of former NFL offensive guard, John Tautolo.[6]
Tautolo grew up in a family with five boys, with his mother, the late Fa’amaisa Matialo of Aunu’u, and his father, Fa’avae Tautolo, hailing from the same island.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ Sutter, Frederic Koehler (1989). The Samoans: A Global Family. University of Hawai'i Press. Pages 192 and 198. ISBN 9780824812386.
- ^ "Watch Casualties of the Gridiron – From Super Bowl Champion to Homeless Retiree – GQ Video – CNE". GQ Videos.
- ^ "Former NFL player tackles homelessness after living under LA freeway". CBS. September 26, 2014.
- ^ Sutter, Frederic Koehler (1989). The Samoans: A Global Family. University of Hawai'i Press. Page 198. ISBN 9780824812386.
- ^ Sutter, Frederic Koehler (1989). The Samoans: A Global Family. University of Hawai'i Press. Page 198. ISBN 9780824812386.
- ^ Sporting News Publishing Company (1984). Football Register, 1984. Page 369. ISBN 9780892041565.
- ^ Sutter, Frederic Koehler (1989). The Samoans: A Global Family. University of Hawai'i Press. Page 198. ISBN 9780824812386.
 | This biographical article relating to an American football linebacker born in the 1950s is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
- 1954 births
- Living people
- American football linebackers
- Millikan High School alumni
- Detroit Lions players
- Miami Dolphins players
- Philadelphia Eagles players
- San Francisco 49ers players
- UCLA Bruins football players
- Players of American football from Corona, California
- Players of American football from Long Beach, California
- American sportspeople of Samoan descent
- 20th-century American sportsmen
- American football linebacker, 1950s birth stubs