Rookie of the Year: Curtis McClinton, 1962

Fullback, Dallas Texans

Age: 23

College: Kansas

Height: 6’3”   Weight: 232

Prelude:

A three-time All-Big 8 selection who rushed for 1377 yards in college, McClinton was taken by the Texans in the 14^th round of the 1961 AFL draft (he was drafted in the 10^th round by the NFL Rams) and moved into the starting lineup when veteran FB Jack Spikes was injured. He proved to not only be a good runner, but a fine receiver out of the backfield and blocker.

1962 Season Summary

Appeared in all 14 games

[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing

Attempts – 111 [10]

Most attempts, game - 19 (for 102 yds.) at NY Titans 11/11

Yards – 604 [5]

Most yards, game – 109 yards (on 12 carries) vs. Oakland 11/25

Average gain – 5.4 [2]

TDs – 2 [18, tied with nine others]

100-yard rushing games – 3

Pass Receiving

Receptions – 29      

Most receptions, game – 6 (for 68 yds.) vs. San Diego 12/16

Yards – 333

Most yards, game - 68 (on 6 catches) vs. San Diego 12/16

Average gain – 11.5

TDs – 0

Kickoff Returns

Returns – 2

Yards – 32

Average per return – 16.0

TDs – 0

Longest return – 18 yards

Scoring

TDs – 2

Points – 12

Postseason: 1 G (AFL Championship at Houston)

Rushing attempts – 24

Rushing yards – 70

Average gain rushing – 2.9

Rushing TDs – 0

Pass receptions – 1

Pass receiving yards - 4

Average yards per reception – 4.0

Pass Receiving TDs - 0

Awards & Honors:

AFL Rookie of the Year: UPI

2^nd team All-AFL: UPI

AFL All-Star Game

Texans went 11-3 to finish first in the AFL Western Division while leading league in scoring (389 points) and touchdowns (50, tied with Houston Oilers). Won AFL Championship over Houston Oilers (20-17).

Aftermath:

The franchise shifted to Kansas City in 1963, and while the team had a down year on the field, “The Count” had another solid season as he led the club in rushing with 568 yards. He struggled with injuries in ’64, however, and lost his starting job to rookie Mack Lee Hill, but bounced back in 1965 with a career-high 661 yards rushing and another 590 yards on 37 pass receptions. He received second-team All-AFL honors from the Associated Press. McClinton was an AFL All-Star in 1966 and ’67, even as his rushing yards dropped to 540 and 392, respectively, but as he also became more acclaimed for his blocking ability. Following an injury-plagued 1968 season, he was shifted to tight end, where he saw little action as a reserve in his last year. Overall, McClinton rushed for 3124 yards on 762 carries (4.1 avg.) and caught 154 passes for 1945 yards with a total of 32 TDs. He played in three AFL All-Star Games.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year).