Lance Alworth was born on August 3, 1940, in Houston. He later moved to Mississippi and played football at Brookhaven High School. He was also a track and baseball standout. After graduation, he turned down pro baseball offers and went to the University of Arkansas.
At Arkansas, he led the nation in punt return yards twice. He was also an All-American in both sports and academics. He helped the Razorbacks win or share three conference titles. He graduated with a degree in marketing.
In 1962, Alworth was drafted by both the NFL and AFL. He signed with the San Diego Chargers. In his second season, he led the league in yards and touchdowns. He won the AFL MVP award that year.
From 1963 to 1969, he had seven straight seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards. He set many league and franchise records. He played 11 seasons and made 542 catches for 10,266 yards and 85 touchdowns.
In 1971, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys. He caught a touchdown in Super Bowl VI. That was the first touchdown of the game. The Cowboys won the championship.
Alworth was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978. He was the first player elected whose career was mainly in the AFL. He is also in the College Football Hall of Fame.
Though he grew up in Mississippi, Alworth was born in Houston. His birth ties him to the city’s long football history. His career helped shape professional football during a key era.
A native of Hog Chain, Alworth attended Brookhaven High School.
The San Francisco 49ers selected Lance Alworth with the 8th overall pick in the 1st round of the 1962 NFL Draft.
