Bobby Luna
| No. 49, 24, 23 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Safety / Punter | ||
| Personal information | |||
| Born: | March 25, 1933 Lewisburg, Tennessee, U.S. | ||
| Died: | March 14, 2008 (aged 74) Franklin, Tennessee, U.S. | ||
| Height: | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||
| Weight: | 187 lb (85 kg) | ||
| Career information | |||
| High school: | Huntsville (AL) | ||
| College: | Alabama | ||
| NFL draft: | 1955 / Round: 6 / Pick: 69 | ||
| Career history | |||
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| * Offseason and/or practice squad member only | |||
| Career NFL statistics | |||
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| Player stats at NFL.com · PFR | |||
Robert Kendall Luna (March 25, 1933 – March 14, 2008) is a former American football safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at the University of Alabama.
Early years[edit]
Luna attended Huntsville High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete.[1] As a junior in football, he was named honorable-mention Class A All-state.
As a senior, he recorded 1,159 total yards (rushing and passing) for a weak Huntsville team. He averaged 7.7 yards per carry, while scoring 108 points on 13 touchdowns and 30 of 34 extra points. He punted 32 times for a 39-yard average. At the end of the season, he received National High School All-American, Class 2A All-state, All-TVC and All-Southern honors.[2]
He received All-TVC honors in basketball as a senior. He also practiced baseball.
College career[edit]
Luna accepted a football scholarship from the University of Alabama.[3] In his first season, the Southeastern Conference allowed freshmen to play varsity football, so he was able to post 10 carries for 76 yards (7.6-yard avg.), 2 rushing touchdowns, 4 receptions for 86 yards and one receiving touchdown.
As a sophomore, he became a starter in a backfield that also included future pro football hall of famer Bart Starr. He was third on the team with 100 carries for 342 yards (3.4-yard avg.) and 6 touchdowns (2 against LSU). He also was the team's placekicker.
As a junior, he was second on the team with 80 carries for 309 yards (3.9-yard avg.) and 2 touchdowns. He is probably best remembered for connecting on a fourth quarter field goal from 28-yards, helping his team beat Auburn University 10–7 in the Iron Bowl. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 9–8–1.[4]
As a senior, he was third on the team with 75 carries for 310 yards (4.1-yard avg.), while handling punting duties. He finished his college career with 265 carries for 1,037 yards (3.9-yard avg.), 9 rushing touchdowns, 34 receptions for 570 yards (16.8-yard avg.) and 5 receiving touchdowns. He also practiced baseball during his 4 years in college.
In 2006, he was inducted into the University of Alabama Athletics Hall of Fame.
Professional career[edit]
Pittsburgh Steelers[edit]
Luna was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round (69th overall) of the 1955 NFL Draft.[5] He was converted into a defensive back during training camp. He started in 12 games as a safety and punter. He tallied 2 interceptions, 63 punts for 2,558 yards (40.6-yard avg.) and had 3 punts blocked.
From 1956 to 1957 he served in the United States Army. He also was a player-coach for the Fort Hood football team for two seasons.
On January 23, 1958, he signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.[6] He returned home before the start of the season, after his baby was born and required to have a surgery.[7]
On September 15, 1959, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a future draft choice.[8]
Pittsburgh Steelers[edit]
In 1959, he returned to the National Football League after being an assistant football coach at the University of Alabama the previous year. He started in 11 games as a safety and punter. He registered 3 interceptions and 63 punts for 2,563 yards (40.7-yard avg.).
Dallas Cowboys[edit]
In 1960, Luna was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the expansion draft. He was released before the start of the season.
Tuscaloosa Warriors (SPFL)[edit]
In 1963, he signed with the Tuscaloosa Warriors of the Southern Professional Football League, who were under the ownership of Eddie Brightwell, with both Luna and Bobby Jackson serving as player-coaches.[9] The team finished with an 8–7 record. In 1964, it was relocated to Columbus, Mississippi and was renamed as the Columbus Warriors.[10]
Personal life[edit]
On June 21, 1958, he was hired as an assistant football coach under Paul "Bear" Bryant.[11] In 2006, he received the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award from the University of Alabama. He was the owner of Luna Construction, LLC.
References[edit]
- ^ "Bobby Luna profile". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Bobby Luna Huntsville - Madison County Athletic HOF". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Bears Will Need A Lot Of Breaks". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Auburn". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
- ^ "1955 NFL Draft". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Alabama's Luna Joins B.C. Lions". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "B.C. Lions". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Rams Release Reifsnyder". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ Reed, Delbert (June 29, 1963). "Pro football team opens practice sessions Monday". The Tuscaloosa News. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. p. 12. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ Reed, Delbert (May 1, 1964). "Warriors leaving Tuscaloosa". The Tuscaloosa News. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. p. 6. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "New Bama Coach". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
External links[edit]
- 1933 births
- 2008 deaths
- People from Lewisburg, Tennessee
- Players of American football from Tennessee
- American football running backs
- Alabama Crimson Tide football players
- Alabama Crimson Tide baseball players
- San Francisco 49ers players
- Pittsburgh Steelers players
- Alabama Crimson Tide football coaches
- United States Army soldiers