Bud Whitehead
Encyclopedia
Ruben Agnus "Bud" Whitehead (born January 1, 1939 in Marianna, Florida
) is a former American football
defensive back
in the American Football League
. A 16th round selection (127th overall pick) of the 1961 AFL Draft
, Whitehead played eight seasons with the San Diego Chargers
(1961–1968). He had 10 interceptions
his senior year of college football
at Florida State
.
, he played football for Marianna High School
before attending Florida State
. Bud was the second child of Clara Peacock and Alter Whitehead with one older brother Jim Whitehead and four younger siblings, brothers Gary, Willie, and Ronny Whitehead and sister Denise Whitehead.
Marianna, Florida
Marianna is a city in Jackson County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,230 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 6,200 . It is the county seat of Jackson County and is home to Chipola College...
) is a former American football
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
defensive back
Defensive back
In American football and Canadian football, defensive backs are the players on the defensive team who take positions somewhat back from the line of scrimmage; they are distinguished from the defensive line players and linebackers, who take positions directly behind or close to the line of...
in the American Football League
American Football League
The American Football League was a major American Professional Football league that operated from 1960 until 1969, when the established National Football League merged with it. The upstart AFL operated in direct competition with the more established NFL throughout its existence...
. A 16th round selection (127th overall pick) of the 1961 AFL Draft
1961 American Football League Draft
Because another league was in competition for the class of 1961 college stars, the American Football League draft for 1961 graduates was actually held in 1960, with a six-round telephone draft on November 23, that saw the Denver Broncos select New Mexico State's Bob Gaiters as the overall first...
, Whitehead played eight seasons with the San Diego Chargers
San Diego Chargers
The San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(1961–1968). He had 10 interceptions
Interception (football)
An interception, intercept or pick is a move in many forms of football, including Canadian and American football, as well as rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules football and Gaelic football, which involves a pass, either by foot or hand, being caught by an opposition player, who usually...
his senior year of college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Florida State
Florida State Seminoles football
The Florida State Seminoles football team represents Florida State University in college football. The Florida State Seminoles compete in NCAA Division I-FBS and are members of the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference...
.
Early life
Born and raised in Marianna, FloridaMarianna, Florida
Marianna is a city in Jackson County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,230 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population estimated by the U.S. Census Bureau is 6,200 . It is the county seat of Jackson County and is home to Chipola College...
, he played football for Marianna High School
Marianna High School
Marianna High School is a public high school in Marianna, Florida. It enrolls 805 students in grades 9–12 making it the largest of the five high schools in the Jackson County School District. Marianna High offers technical, and academic courses, as well as Dual Enrollment and Early Admission with...
before attending Florida State
Florida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
. Bud was the second child of Clara Peacock and Alter Whitehead with one older brother Jim Whitehead and four younger siblings, brothers Gary, Willie, and Ronny Whitehead and sister Denise Whitehead.