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Bobby Luna

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Bobby Luna
No. 49, 24, 23
Position:Safety / Punter
Personal information
Born:(1933-03-25)March 25, 1933
Lewisburg, Tennessee, U.S.
Died:March 14, 2008(2008-03-14) (aged 74)
Franklin, Tennessee, U.S.
Height:5 ft 11 in (1.80 m)
Weight:187 lb (85 kg)
Career information
High school:Huntsville (AL)
College:Alabama
NFL draft:1955 / round: 6 / pick: 69
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Career NFL statistics
Games played:24
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Robert Kendall Luna (March 25, 1933 – March 14, 2008) is a former American football safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Francisco 49ers and Pittsburgh Steelers. He played college football at the University of Alabama.

Early years

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Luna attended Huntsville High School, where he was a multi-sport athlete.[1] As a junior in football, he was named honorable-mention Class A All-state.

As a senior, he recorded 1,159 total yards (rushing and passing) for a weak Huntsville team. He averaged 7.7 yards per carry, while scoring 108 points on 13 touchdowns and 30 of 34 extra points. He punted 32 times for a 39-yard average. At the end of the season, he received National High School All-American, Class 2A All-state, All-TVC and All-Southern honors.[2]

He received All-TVC honors in basketball as a senior. He also practiced baseball.

College career

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Luna accepted a football scholarship from the University of Alabama.[3] In his first season, 1951, the Southeastern Conference allowed freshmen to play varsity football, so he was able to post 10 carries for 76 yards (7.6-yard avg.), 2 rushing touchdowns, 4 receptions for 86 yards and one receiving touchdown.

As a sophomore, he became a starter in a backfield that also included future pro football hall of famer Bart Starr. He was third on the team with 100 carries for 342 yards (3.4-yard avg.) and 6 touchdowns (2 against LSU). He also was the team's placekicker.

As a junior in 1953, he was second on the team with 80 carries for 309 yards (3.9-yard avg.) and 2 touchdowns. He is probably best remembered for connecting on a fourth quarter field goal from 28-yards, helping his team beat Auburn University 10–7 in the Iron Bowl. The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Auburn to 9–8–1.[4] Luna set the Alabama single-season scoring record in 1953, scoring 72 points.[5]

During his 1954 senior season, he was third on the team with 75 carries for 310 yards (4.1-yard avg.), while handling punting duties. He finished his college career with 265 carries for 1,037 yards (3.9-yard avg.), 9 rushing touchdowns, 34 receptions for 570 yards (16.8-yard avg.) and 5 receiving touchdowns. He also practiced baseball during his 4 years in college.

In 2006, he was inducted into the University of Alabama Athletics Hall of Fame.

Professional career

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Pittsburgh Steelers

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Luna was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the sixth round (69th overall) of the 1955 NFL draft.[6] He was converted into a defensive back during training camp. He started in 12 games as a safety and punter. He tallied 2 interceptions, 63 punts for 2,558 yards (40.6-yard avg.) and had 3 punts blocked.

From 1956 to 1957 he served in the United States Army. He also was a player-coach for the Fort Hood football team for two seasons.

On January 23, 1958, he signed with the BC Lions of the Canadian Football League.[7] He returned home before the start of the season, after his baby was born and required to have a surgery.[8]

On September 15, 1959, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers in exchange for a future draft choice.[9]

Pittsburgh Steelers

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In 1959, he returned to the National Football League after being an assistant football coach at the University of Alabama the previous year. He started in 11 games as a safety and punter. He registered 3 interceptions and 63 punts for 2,563 yards (40.7-yard avg.).

Dallas Cowboys

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In 1960, Luna was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the expansion draft. He was released before the start of the season.

Tuscaloosa Warriors (SPFL)

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In 1963, he signed with the Tuscaloosa Warriors of the Southern Professional Football League, who were under the ownership of Eddie Brightwell, with both Luna and Bobby Jackson serving as player-coaches.[10] The team finished with an 8–7 record. In 1964, it was relocated to Columbus, Mississippi and was renamed as the Columbus Warriors.[11]

Personal life

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On June 21, 1958, he was hired as an assistant football coach under Paul "Bear" Bryant.[12] In 2006, he received the Paul "Bear" Bryant Award from the University of Alabama. He was the owner of Luna Construction, LLC.

References

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  1. ^ "Bobby Luna profile". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  2. ^ "Bobby Luna Huntsville - Madison County Athletic HOF". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  3. ^ "Bears Will Need A Lot Of Breaks". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  4. ^ DeLassus, David. "Alabama vs Auburn". College Football Data Warehouse. Archived from the original on October 14, 2013. Retrieved October 31, 2012.
  5. ^ "Met the Rookies..." in San Francisco Forty Niners vs. Detroit Lions, October 30, 1955. San Francisco, CA: San Francisco 49ers Football Club, 1955; p. 3.
  6. ^ "1955 NFL Draft". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  7. ^ "Alabama's Luna Joins B.C. Lions". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  8. ^ "B.C. Lions". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  9. ^ "Rams Release Reifsnyder". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  10. ^ Reed, Delbert (June 29, 1963). "Pro football team opens practice sessions Monday". The Tuscaloosa News. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. p. 12. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  11. ^ Reed, Delbert (May 1, 1964). "Warriors leaving Tuscaloosa". The Tuscaloosa News. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. p. 6. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  12. ^ "New Bama Coach". Retrieved July 27, 2019.
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