Barry Pryor
 Pryor, circa 1970 | |
| No. 31 | |
|---|---|
| Position | Running back |
| Personal information | |
| Born | March 4, 1946 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | January 28, 2018 (aged 71) |
| Listed height | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) |
| Listed weight | 215 lb (98 kg) |
| Career information | |
| High school | South Hills Catholic |
| College | Boston University |
| AFL draft | 1969: undrafted |
| Career history | |
| Stats at Pro Football Reference | |
Barry Lewis Pryor (March 4, 1946 – January 28, 2018) was an American professional football player who was a running back for the Miami Dolphins in the American Football League (AFL) and National Football League (NFL). He played college football and basketball for the Boston University Terriers.
Early life
[edit]Barry Lewis Pryor was born on March 4, 1946, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[1][2] He played high school football at South Hills Catholic High School as a quarterback, earning All-City honors.[3][1]
College career
[edit]Pryor enrolled at Boston University for the 1964 season but left the school before ever playing for the Terriers.[3] By February 1965, he was delivering inter-office mail for a gas company.[3] He enrolled at Ohio University to play for the Bobcats during the 1965 season.[3] In 1966, Pryor transferred back to Boston University but had to sit out the 1966 season due to transfer rules.[3] He played football for the Terriers from 1967 to 1968.[1] He also played college basketball for Boston University during the 1967–68 season as a guard, averaging 4.3 points-per-game and 2.0 rebounds-per-game in 23 games.[4]
Professional career
[edit]Pryor signed with the Miami Dolphins of the American Football League (AFL) in April 1969 after going undrafted.[5] The eight plays he participated in during the preseason game on August 2 against the Minnesota Vikings were credited to Gary Tucker, who was not even on the team anymore.[6][7] Pryor and Tucker had worn the same jersey number.[7] On August 28, the Fort Lauderdale News said that Pryor was a "sure winner of the Obscurity Award" for surviving several rounds of roster cuts despite being a relatively unknown player.[6] Pryor played in all 14 games for the Dolphins in 1969, mostly on special teams.[8][9] He recorded four solo tackles, two assisted tackles, and two receptions for negative three yards.[9][8]
Pryor was cut by the Dolphins near the end of the 1970 preseason after being beat out by Hubert Ginn.[10] Pryor was then signed to the Dolphins' taxi squad, where he emulated opponents during practices.[11] In late November 1970, after Paul Warfield suffered an injury, Pryor was promoted to the active roster to contribute on special teams.[11] He appeared in two games for Miami during the 1970 season and carried the ball twice for no yards.[8] On September 7, 1971, Pryor was waived by the Dolphins.[12]
Personal life
[edit]Pryor was later a professor at the Community College of Allegheny County.[2] He died on January 28, 2018.[2]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Barry Pryor". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Barry Lewis Pryor". Legacy.com. February 26, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Sales, Bob (April 27, 1967). "B.U. Tailback Pryor Vows To Make Good on Rebound". The Boston Globe. p. 52. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Barry Pryor". Sports Reference. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ "Dolphin veteran quits after nine year pro career". Huntsville News. United Press International. April 2, 1969. p. 7. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- 1 2 Dilley, Ans (August 28, 1969). "Dolphins' Rookie Eluding Ax". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 43. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- 1 2 Dilley, Ans (September 12, 1969). "Pryor Makes A Point As Fill-In For Csonka". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 2D. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- 1 2 3 "Barry Pryor". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- 1 2 Recchi, Ray (August 12, 1970). "Barry Pryor: At Long Last... A Chance To Run". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 51. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ Heeren, Dave (November 28, 1970). "Dolphins' Pryor Gets His Chance". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 4D. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- 1 2 Levine, Al (November 28, 1970). "The boys in the band: They play a private game of charades". The Miami News. p. 2B. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
- ↑ Braucher, Bill (September 8, 1971). "Weisacosky Among 6 Cut". The Miami Herald. p. 55. Retrieved August 19, 2026.
