By Darin In the final era of the “one-platoon” system, few players dominated both sides of the ball like Ronnie Caveness. A relentless linebacker and a steady center, Caveness served as the heartbeat of the legendary 1964 Arkansas team that claimed a share of the National Championship. While his teammates included future legends like Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones, it was Caveness who set the school’s tackling records—marks that still stand decades later. Discover the story of the man who transitioned seamlessly from a collegiate “iron man” to a professional standout in the AFL.
Football Bio
March 6, 1943 – Houston, Texas – Ronnie Caveness, the two-way center and linebacker from the University of Arkansas from 1962 to 1964, was born. The FootballFoundation.org says that Ronnie was a First-Team all-American in his senior campaign of 1964 as he helped the Razorbacks take a share of the National Championship.
There were a couple of other notable players on the Razorbacks’ Championship team in ’64… Jimmy Johnson, a 2012 College Hall of Fame inductee as a coach and 2020 Pro Football HOF enshrinee, and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The College Football Hall of Fame inducted Ronnie Caveness in 2010. Ronnie was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFL in 1965, spending one year with the franchise before playing out the remainder of his five-year professional career with the Houston Oilers.
Conclusion
Ronnie Caveness remains a towering figure in the history of Arkansas football, embodying the grit of the Frank Broyles era. His remarkable ability to lead the team in tackles for 21 consecutive games highlights a level of consistency and stamina that modern football rarely sees. By anchoring a National Championship defense and earning a place in the College Football Hall of Fame, Caveness ensured that his legacy would be remembered alongside the most influential names in the sport.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2010.
- National Champion: 1964 (Arkansas Razorbacks).
- First-Team All-American: 1964 (AFCA, AP, FWAA, Sporting News).
- First-Team All-American (Football News): 1963.
- First-Team All-Southwest Conference: 1964 (selected at both Center and Linebacker).
- Cotton Bowl Co-MVP: 1965 (Defensive MVP).
- Arkansas School Records: Most tackles in a single game (29) and second-most (25).
- Consecutive Tackles Record: Holds the Razorback record for most tackles in consecutive seasons (309).
- Arkansas All-Century Team: Named as one of the program’s greatest players.
- Professional Career: Played 5 seasons in the AFL/NFL with the Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Oilers, and New England Patriots.
