Bobby Humphrey
Bobby Woywer Humphrey (born October 11, 1966, in Birmingham), is a former professional football player who was selected in the 1st round by the Denver Broncos in the 1989 NFL Supplemental Draft after a stellar career at the University of Alabama. Humphrey coached the Birmingham Steeldogs from 2000 to 2005, becoming the winningest coach in the af2.
University of Alabama
Humphrey went to Alabama out of Glenn High School. In his 4 seasons playing for the Crimson Tide, Humphrey rushed for 3,420 yards, caught 60 passes for 523 yards, and scored 40 touchdowns. He made the College Football All-America Team in 1986 and 1987. In 1986, he set a school record with 1,471 rushing yards. In 1987, he was voted as UPI's offensive player of the year and finished 10th in the Heisman Trophy balloting.
Professional career
Humphrey was selected in the 1st round of the NFL's supplemental draft in 1989 by the Denver Broncos.
During his rookie season, he rushed for 1,151 yards and seven touchdowns for the Broncos as they qualified for Super Bowl XXIV, but were defeated 55-10 by the San Francisco 49ers. Humphrey, however, played well, finishing the game as the Broncos leader in both rushing (61 yards) and receiving (31 yards). Humphrey was not named NFL Rookie of the Year, due to Barry Sanders' incredible 1470 yard rookie campaign. He followed his impressive rookie performance with a Pro Bowl selection in 1990, rushing for 1,202 yards and 7 touchdowns in 1990.
In 1991, Humphrey held out of training camp in hopes of obtaining a new contract. The Broncos, by team policy, refused to renegotiate his pay and the holdout continued late into the season.
Unable to secure a new contract, Humphrey finally ended his holdout in week 14. But by that time, newly signed Gaston Green had emerged as the team's starting running back and was on his way to completing his own 1000 yard season. Furthermore, Humphrey had fallen out of favor with the team's coaching and front office as a result of the holdout. When Humphrey returned in week 14, he was out of shape and given only a reserve role. He remained on the bench as Denver made a run to AFC Championship Game, losing to the Buffalo Bills 10-7.
The following offseason he was traded to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for running back Sammie Smith. He played for the Dolphins from 1992 to 1993 but was never able to regain the success he experienced in Denver.
Life after the NFL
In early 1993, Humphrey was arrested for cocaine possession and was later shot by his friend in the leg with a .38 caliber pistol. Humphrey was the head coach of the Birmingham Steeldogs of the Arena Football League 2 (af2) from 2000-2005. Currently Humphrey is a salesman for Ready Mix USA in Birmingham. He was named the 2009 Golden Flake Legend of Birmingham before the January 2, 2010 PapaJohns.com Bowl.
References
- Herndon, Mike (May 20, 2009) "Herndon: Former Alabama great Bobby Humphrey is watching a new No. 26 these days." Mobile Press-Register
- Bobby Humphrey. (2009, November 27). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14:51, December 13, 2009 [1]