No Current #83

#83 – Bill “Red” Dawson

Tight End – 6’3″ 223 lbs – 1961-1964

Bill “Red” Dawson was a team leader and integral part of the Seminoles in the mid 60s playing a large role as a blocker and pass catcher.  He was a big part of the Seminoles run in 1964 to a 9-1-1 record and #11 ranking, their first final ranking in school history.  He caught 34 balls for 416 yards and 3 touchdowns as a Seminole and provided a dominant blocker on the edge of the line.  Dawson was drafted by the Boston Patriots in the 19th Round of the 1964 AFL Draft and spend one season with the Patriots playing in 9 games.  Dawson would go on to coach at Marshall University.  He was one of the few people that was not on the plane that would famously crash and kill all all passengers including 37 players and 5 of the 8 coaches after Marshall played East Carolina.  He had driven to the game and was on a pre-planned recruiting trip with Gail Parker after the game.  Dawson was named acting head coach and then stayed on to assist when Marshall hired Jack Lengyel as the head coach.  He only coached the one season retiring after the year.  Red Dawson was portrayed by Matthew Fox in the 2006 film “We Are Marshall”.

#83 In History