Perry Lee Dunn
Quick Facts
Biography
Perry Lee Dunn (January 20, 1941 – October 27, 2018), was a professional American football running back in the National Football League, for the Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons and Baltimore Colts. He played college football at the University of Mississippi.
Early years
At Natchez High School he started every game at quarterback except his first one, only losing 4 games. He also played safety, returner, punter and practiced track and field (hurdles).
As a senior, he rushed and passed for 2,609 yards, registered 20 rushing touchdowns, 14 passing touchdowns and completed 59 percent of his passes.
In 4 years he rushed for 2,895 yards and 46 touchdowns, while passing for 2,822 yards and 38 touchdowns, to go with 1,097 return yards. He also set different school and state records, receiving high school All-American honors and was a highly recruited athlete.
College career
Dunn accepted a football scholarship from the University of Mississippi, where he was a part of a three quarterback system. As a junior, he was moved to fullback because of the play of quarterback Glynn Griffing, on a team that finished undefeated and shared the national championship with Ohio State University. He posted 262 rushing yards, 4 rushing touchdowns and 41 receiving yards.
The next year, he was named the starting quarterback, registering 820 passing yards with 9 touchdowns, 5 interceptions. Hed also led the team to an SEC title and received second-team All-SEC honors.
In his college career he passed for 1,121 yards, rushed for 563 yards and scored 18 touchdowns.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Dunn was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the fourth round (45th overall) of the 1964 NFL Draft and by the San Diego Chargers in the third round (24th overall) of the 1964 AFL Draft.
The Cowboys drafted him as a safety, but after having problems playing the position in the Chicago College All-Star Game, head coach Tom Landry decided that it would be best to switch him to halfback. As a rookie, he started the last 2 games of the season because of injuries. In 1965, he started 7 games at halfback.
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons selected him from the Cowboys roster in the 1966 NFL Expansion Draft and moved him to fullback. He was traded to the Baltimore Colts in exchange for a draft choice (not exercised), before the start of the 1969 season.
Baltimore Colts
In 1969, Dunn played in 5 games for the Baltimore Colts, before being waived injured on October 20, after he sprained his knee.