Position: Guard / Center College: Redlands Name John Houser, Height 1.91 m | High school: Boys Republic (CA) Undrafted: 1957 Weight 108 kg | |
Date of birth: (1935-06-21) June 21, 1935 (age 80) Place of birth: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma | ||
John Wesley "Joe" Houser Jr. (born June 21, 1935) was an American football offensive lineman who played in the National Football League for the Los Angeles Rams, the Dallas Cowboys, and the St. Louis Cardinals. He played college football at the University of Redlands.
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Early years
He attended Boys Republic High School, before moving on to the University of Redlands. In college, he played end, tackle, center and fullback, and was the team's placekicker. He was a part of the 1956 Bulldog 9-0-0 team—the only undefeated team west of the Rockies, which defeated Occidental College, with Jack Kemp as quarterback 28-0, and Whittier College in the last collegiate game coached by George Allen—before moving to the NFL.
Los Angeles Rams
Houser was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles Rams after the 1957 NFL Draft. He was named the starter at offensive guard as a rookie.
In 1958, he served a six months military service. On September 6, 1960, he was traded to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for a 1962 seventh round draft choice (#88-Jim Bakken).
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys obtained Houser in a trade with the Los Angeles Rams, after which he became the first starter at center in franchise history. The next year he was moved to offensive guard. He was waived on September 10, 1963.
St. Louis Cardinals
In 1963, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals. He announced his retirement in 1964.
Personal life
Houser married Mary Alison Hortie.