Ernie Wheelwright (running back)
 Wheelwright in 1965 | |||||||||
| No. 30, 39 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Running back | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | November 28, 1939 Columbus, Ohio, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died | May 1, 2001 (aged 61) Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | Columbus (OH) Central | ||||||||
| College | Southern Illinois | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 1964: undrafted | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
| |||||||||
Ernest Lamour 'Wheels' Wheelwright (November 28, 1939 – May 1, 2001) was an American football player.
Wheelwright attended Southern Illinois University and served in the 101st Airborne Division (a.k.a. the Screaming Eagles).[1] In 1962, he led the Fort Campbell football team to a 14–10 victory over Lackland Air Force Base in the Missile Bowl.[2] He then played running back for the New York Giants (1964–65), Atlanta Falcons (1966–67) and the New Orleans Saints (1967–70) of the National Football League. He rushed for 1426 yards and scored 16 touchdowns (9 rushing and 7 receiving) in 79 games.[3]
Wheelwright was also owner of one of Atlanta's premier nightclubs in the 1960s, the Pink Pussycat Club.[4] 'Wheels' hosted many visiting black artists and had the opportunity to cut a record 'Beggin You Back' for the local Gaye label owned by Johnny Brooks.[5][note 1] In 1970 the NFL asked Wheelwright, then with the New Orleans Saints, to sell his interest on the grounds that continuing ownership would bring the NFL into disrepute.[6]
Following the end of his football career, Wheelwright appeared as an actor in films including The Longest Yard (1974), Trackdown (1976), The Greatest (1977) & Wildcats (1986).
Ernie Wheelwright died of cancer in Las Vegas on May 1, 2001, aged 61.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | The Longest Yard | Spooner | |
| 1976 | Trackdown | Rosey | |
| 1977 | The Greatest | Bossman Jones |
Notes
[edit]- ^ J T. Brooks who was also an engineer and record producer had opened his own facility in Atlanta in 1964. Wheelwright's disc was one of at least eight on Gaye. In addition Brooks was owner of the gospel label Sounds of Atlanta whose roster included Little Jimmy Dempsey, Big Chief Weatherington, the Soul Searchers and The Blackwood Singers.
References
[edit]- ^ Sports Illustrated, "19th Hole", Readers comments, June 15, 1970.
- ^ Becker, Jim (December 13, 1962). "Early bowl games are financial flop". Kentucky New Era. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
- ^ "Ernie Wheelwright". Pro Football Reference. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 8, 2025.
- ^ Roy Powers "Blues Destiny Records". Archived from the original on December 7, 2010. Retrieved May 31, 2010.
- ^ Sir Shambling Deep Soul Website http://www.sirshambling.com/artists_2012/W/ernie_wheelwright/index.php
- ^ Sports Illustrated, "This Saint has been called a sinner", June 1, 1970