Place of birth: Houston, Texas Name Eldridge Small Height: 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) Role American football player | College: Texas A&I Weight 86 kg Tackles: 0 Positions Defensive back | |
Date of birth: (1949-08-02) August 2, 1949 (age 66) NFL draft: 1972 / Round: 1 / Pick: 17 Education Texas A&M University–Kingsville, Wheatley High School | ||
Eldridge Small (born August 2, 1949) is a former American football defensive back who played with the National Football League's (NFL) New York Giants from 1972 to 1974.
Small attended Wheatley High School in Houston, Texas, before playing college football for the Texas A&I Javelinas from 1968 to 1971 as a wide receiver and defensive back. As a receiver, he had 20 touchdowns in his college career, made 167 receptions, and had 2,547 receiving yards. As of 2011, Small is the Javelinas' all-time receptions leader. Texas A&I won two National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics national championships during his team with the team. In the 1972 NFL Draft, the Giants selected Small in the first round, with the 17th overall pick. He played in 34 games for the Giants over three seasons, intercepting one pass, in 1974. In 1975, the Giants traded Small to the Cleveland Browns, but he was released before the start of the regular season. Following his NFL career, he began coaching in the Houston Independent School District. As of 2011, Small coaches for Sterling High School, working as an offensive coordinator.