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Paul Guidry

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Paul Guidry
No. 59, 58
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1944-01-14) January 14, 1944 (age 80)
Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, U.S.
Height:6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:227 lb (103 kg)
Career information
High school:Breaux Bridge (LA)
College:LSU
McNeese State
AFL draft:1966 / round: 8 / pick: 73
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games played:106
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Paul Michael Guidry (born January 14, 1944) is a former college and professional American football player. In 1966, Guidry was AFL-drafted by Buffalo Bills (Round 8). He played on an undefeated team at McNeese State University, and had an eight-year career in the AFL and NFL.

Early life

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Guidry was born on January 14, 1944 in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. He attended Beaux Bridge High School, where he excelled in football and basketball. Guidry originally attended Louisiana State University as a freshman and then went into the army reserve for six months.[1][2]

After his active reserve service ended, Guidry attended McNeese State University. He played tight end and defensive end on its football team, and was a member of the 1963 Cowboys team that went undefeated. He was on two championship teams (1963-1964). He was named all-Gulf States Conference twice. He was the team's leading receiver in 1964. In 1991, he was inducted into McNeese's Athletics Hall of Fame.[3]

Football career

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Guidry was drafted by the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League in the eighth round of the 1966 AFL draft, 73rd overall.[4] He was not selected in the NFL draft that year.[5] Breaux Bridge declared May 10, 1966 "Paul Guidry Day" in honor of his being drafted and signed by the Bills.[2] He wore number 59 as a Bill, and played for the Bills through 1972.[6]

Guidry played all 14 games as a rookie, but mostly on special teams, starting one game at linebacker. In 1967, he started four games and in 1968 started all 14 games at linebacker. He continued as starter through 1972, though missing six games with an injury in 1969.[2][6] He was named second team all-conference by United Press International in 1970.[6]

During his career he had intercepted passes against AFL quarterbacks like future hall of fame player Joe Namath (New York Jets),[7] AFL MVP John Hadl (San Diego Chargers),[8] and two-time AFL player of the year Daryle Lamonica (Oakland Raiders),[9] but his career highlight was intercepting a pass thrown by Baltimore Colts great Johnny Unitas,[10][11] whom he idolized as a young teen.[2]

In 1972, Guidry was selected by his teammates as the Bills defensive captain (O.J. Simpson being the offensive captain).[12] The next year he was traded to the Houston Oilers for Allen Aldridge,[2] where he played in 14 games, starting six.[6] He was cut by the Oilers and then the New York Giants in 1974, and did not play in the NFL again. He played with the Portland Storm of the World Football League in 1974.[2][13] He was signed and released by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1975, without playing a game,[14] ending his playing career.

While at Buffalo, he spent three years as a player representative for National Football League Players Association.[2] In 1970 Guidry was selected for the All-AFC (American Football Conference of the NFL) Team.[15][2][6]

Guidry was named one of the top 15 players to wear the #59 for the Buffalo Bills.[citation needed]

Personal life

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Guidry was renowned in Buffalo for being one of the original owners of Mothers restaurant.[16] Guidry lives in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, which is located just outside Nashville and only about 30 miles from Middle Tennessee. Guidry has supported Golf Tournament For Cystic Fibrosis in Tennessee,[17][18] and was active with muscular dystrophy telethons in New York. He also became involved in education as a teacher, coach, and assistant principal.[2]

He served in the United States Army Reserve for six years.[19][2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Peloquin, Steve PeloquinSteve (June 19, 2017). "All-Time NFL Players From Acadiana:". 103.3 The G.O.A.T. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Blackstock, Robert. "Paul Guidry, Professional Football Researchers" (PDF). professionalfootballresearchers.com.
  3. ^ "Paul Guidrey (1991) - Hall of Fame". McNeese State University Athletics. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  4. ^ "1966 AFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  5. ^ "1966 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Paul Guidry Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  7. ^ "Joe Namath | Pro Football Hall of Fame | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  8. ^ "John Hadl Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  9. ^ "Daryle Lamonica Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  10. ^ "Johnny Unitas | Pro Football Hall of Fame | Pro Football Hall of Fame". pfhof. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  11. ^ "NFL 100". NFL.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  12. ^ Bridges, John (October 16, 2013). "Hometown Patriots - McNeese Cowboys of 1963". kplctv.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  13. ^ "Paul Guidry". statscrew.com.
  14. ^ "Paul Guidry NFL Transactions - Pro Football Archives". www.profootballarchives.com. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  15. ^ "BUFFALO BILLS". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  16. ^ Brady, Erik (October 30, 2019). "Ex-Bills linebacker Paul Guidry intercepted Unitas and Namath – and started Mothers". Buffalo News. Retrieved November 28, 2024.
  17. ^ "Lebanon Democrat: Cure for Our Friends golf tourney brings star power". Lebanon Democrat. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  18. ^ "Golf Tournament For Cystic Fibrosis". Time Out Nashville. Retrieved January 31, 2016.
  19. ^ "FORMER COWBOY PAUL GUIDRY ADDRESSED THE COWBOYS PRIOR TO VICTORY OVER MIDDLE TENNESSEE". McNeese State University. Archived from the original on July 27, 2018. Retrieved January 31, 2016.