By Darin Dave Elmendorf dominates the gridiron and the baseball diamond, defining the term “dual-sport athlete” for Texas A&M. A standout safety with unmatched versatility, he secures his legacy as a consensus All-American before embarking on a stellar nine-year NFL career with the Los Angeles Rams.
Football Bio
June 20, 1949 – San Antonio, Texas – Texas A&M safety from 1968 to 1970, Dave Elmendorf was born.
The NFF says he was named an All-America defensive back in 1970. He also was named Academic All-America and won a graduate scholarship from the National Football Foundation.
In addition to playing defensive back for Texas A&M in 1970, he returned 23 kickoffs for an average of 19.9 yards and returned 13 punts for an average of 10 yards.
Dave Elmendorf was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1997 after the National Football Foundation tabulated its votes.
Dave graduated with honors and later played 9 years of pro football with the Los Angeles Rams. Later, he was both a radio and television broadcaster.
Conclusion
Dave Elmendorf leaves an enduring mark on sports history through his remarkable achievements across multiple arenas. He leveraged his elite intellect and rare athleticism to excel at the highest levels, earning induction into numerous Halls of Fame. Following his impressive athletic career, he transitions seamlessly into a successful broadcasting role, proving his talents extend far beyond the playing field.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1997.
- Consensus All-American: Earned consensus All-America honors as a defensive back in 1970.
- Dual-Sport All-American: Named an All-American in both football (1970) and baseball (1971).
- Academic Honors: Named an Academic All-American and awarded a National Football Foundation graduate scholarship in 1970.
- NFL All-Rookie Team: Selected to the NFL All-Rookie team in 1971.
- All-Pro Selection: Named a Second-team All-Pro safety in 1975.
- NFL Iron Man: Started all 130 regular-season games during his nine-year NFL career, never missing a single game.
- Super Bowl Participant: Started as a safety for the Los Angeles Rams in Super Bowl XIV.
- Career Interceptions: Intercepted 27 passes and recovered 10 fumbles during his NFL tenure.
- Multiple Hall of Fame Inductions: Honored in the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame (1978), Texas High School Football Hall of Fame (1996), Southwest Conference Hall of Fame (2016), and Texas Sports Hall of Fame (2017). (Source)